Today, the Marin County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an ordinance banning the development of onshore infrastructure for offshore oil and gas without a vote from Marin residents.
The ordinance is meaningful, as it provides a binding regulatory framework in opposition to offshore oil and gas exploration off our coast. In addition, it builds on Marin County’s past work to oppose fracking and the 2018 resolution to support Protection of our Ocean and Coast from Offshore Drilling and Fracking. Since 2017, more than 90 resolutions in opposition to offshore drilling have been adopted along the West Coast following President Trump’s plans to drastically expand offshore drilling throughout the United States.
We are grateful to Supervisor Rodoni, Supervisor Sears, and County of Marin’s legal counsel including Brian Washington and Brian Case for their diligence and commitment to renewable energy and coastal protection.
“EAC stands in firm opposition to any prospects of drilling off our coast. Measures like this ordinance help to prevent continued reliance on fossil fuels that exacerbate the climate crisis and wreak havoc on sensitive habitats. This ordinance is a critical step in protecting Marin’s biodiverse coastal ecosystems, while supporting sustainable energy in the midst of the biggest environmental crisis of our time, which our state is severely suffering from. ”
Since the 1970s, we have been pushing back against oil drilling off our coastline. Sometimes, it seems like a never ending battle, but we are not giving up! We are hopeful this step by the Supervisors will establish an example for other jurisdictions throughout the West Coast to take similar measures in the coming weeks and months. While there was a string of these ordinances enacted in the 1980s, this ordinance is the first of its kind in California since then!
Learn More:
SUPPORT OUR WORK
We accomplish our work by bringing people, science and policy together to protect vital ecosystems, defend critical legislation, enforce accountability of our leaders and legislators, and rally our members to become stewards of their community. Often our efforts are not fought over night, so your long-term support and generosity is critical to our ongoing efforts to ensure environmental protection measures are in place and lasting.
