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In this Californian file photo, an oil pumping unit and storage tank near Shane Court in Arvin is surrounded by residential apartments, single-family homes and commercial businesses.

 Californian file photo

An oil industry trade group switched tactics on the eve of a key deadline this week by announcing it will sue state government instead of using California's voter referendum process to try to overturn a contentious buffer-zone law that could affect 15,000 wells statewide.

The California Independent Petroleum Association's decision not to proceed with a referendum challenging 2022's Senate Bill 1137 left the measure to take effect immediately, halting new drilling and maintenance of existing wells within 3,200 feet of homes, schools and other sensitive sites.