Legislators Oppose Oil and Gas Drilling Off California’s Coast
Pedro Nava
California Progress Report
04/15/2009
Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) and Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa), Tuesday led California’s strong legislative opposition to expansion of off-shore oil drilling. The California State Asssembly Committee on Natural Resources Monday approved Nava’s resolution opposing expansion of oil drilling. Additionally a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar calling for reinstatement of the moratorium was circulated by Nava and signed by members of the Assembly.
“California sent a resounding message today to the Department of Interior,” said Nava. “On the eve of his visit to San Francisco, Secretary Salazar will get a clear message that California opposes expansion of oil and gas drilling off its coast, and demands that the offshore oil and gas drilling moratorium be reinstated.”
“Drilling off California’s coast is a bad idea,” said Assemblymember Noreen Evans. “All the oil off our coast would supply our nation with enough gas for only 17 months and would have no effect on gas prices. But it would cost us far more in lost tourism and risk another oil spill. That’s a price Californian’s don’t want to pay.”
Assembly Joint Resolution 3 by Assemblymembers Pedro Nava and Noreen Evans passed by a 6 to 3 vote. AJR 3 requests that the Congress of the United States reinstate the federal offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium for the 2009 fiscal year and beyond. The measure also memorializes the Legislature’s opposition to the proposed expansion of oil and gas drilling off the Pacific Coast and any federal energy policies and legislation that would weaken California’s role in energy siting decisions.
The joint letter to Secretary of the Interior requests the immediate reinstatement of the federal moratorium. The letter will be hand delivered to Secretary Salazar by Assemblymember Pedro Nava on Thursday in San Francisco.
“California’s green energy policies have led the nation and the world. We shouldn't take a step back by expanding offshore oil drilling and reliance on fossil fuels,” said Nava. “Oil drilling off our coast would have minimal effect on supply, would have no effect on prices at the pump, but could have a potentially devastating effect on our environment and our economy. It is a risk that California is unwilling to take.”
Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar will be in San Francisco on Thursday to conclude a nationwide series of public meetings about the country's offshore energy strategy -- including the controversial topic of offshore oil drilling in California...
FULL TEXT OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER NAVA's LETTER TO SALAZAR.
