Coastal Commission Eliminates Threat of Offshore Oil Drilling At No Expense To Taxpayers! 




California coastal panel makes move against new offshore oil
By RYAN PEARSON, Associated Press Writer
August 11, 2005
1:35 PDT Costa Mesa, Calif. (AP) --


The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously Thursday against extending 36 undeveloped gas and oil leases in U.S. waters off the state's central coast, setting up a confrontation with the federal government over the panel's authority.

Some commissioners said they expected the state to sue the federal government in an effort to prevent the extension of the leases, which could lead to additional offshore drilling.

"It's amazing, the level of risk that the California coastline is being put to," Commissioner Steve Padilla said.

"This is something I do not understand. The benefits of this economically are so little they're not even existent," commission Vice Chairman Patrick Kruer said.

"This is not worth the risk" of environmental damage, Kruer said.

Commissioners, who voted 9-0 against extending the leases, said they were insulted that no representatives of the federal government or oil companies showed up at the meeting.

Commissioner Jim Aldinger called it "a slap in the face" and urged the Bush administration to "get involved in this process."

After the vote, Aldinger said he expected the commission would have to sue the federal government in order to prevent additional drilling.

The federal government argues that the California Coastal Act allows for the extension of the leases, which are in federal waters that have never been developed.

Commissioners said that continuing the leases — taken by oil companies from the 1960s through the 1980s — could result in the companies building four new drilling platforms.

Oil companies and the federal government are seeking new sources of domestic oil to offset rising prices and the nation's reliance on foreign producers. But any proposal for offshore drilling faces strenuous opposition from environmentalists and many coastal residents.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has opposed new offshore drilling.

California Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, joined by U.S. Rep. Lois Capps, D-Santa Barbara, urged the commission to follow a staff recommendation and reject the lease extensions, which were proposed by the U.S. Minerals Management Service.

Commissioners said that if the federal government provides new information, they would review the leases one by one. They did not set a deadline for receiving the information.

The leased lands are located primarily off Santa Barbara County, but also San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties. 

Posted: Thu - August 11, 2005 at 05:21 PM          

©