The Department of Interior has released a draft plan that proposes allowing oil and gas leasing along California's entire coast, the Gulf of Mexico, and Alaska. This move has been widely condemned by thousands across the country, including environmentalists, fishermen, businesses, elected officials, and coastal communities - and YOU can join them!

Learn more about the risks of this proposal and how to get involved below!

Submit public comment by Jan 23 (template below)

Public comment for the first analysis of the draft proposal is open until January 23, 2026 until 11:59 PM EST (8:59 PM PST). Tell the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that we as Californians are united in opposition to any new drilling off our coast - and in any U.S. waters. Voice your opposition here by clicking the blue "Comment" button!

Personalize your comment as much as possible. How are you a stakeholder? Are you a business owner or fisher? Do you recreate on California's coasts? Do you live in a coastal community? Show why an oil-free Pacific is important to you.

Additional Points:

Less than 20% of the more than 12 million acres of federal waters available for oil and gas leasing have started producing oil as of December 2024. We don't need to open more waters to leasing.

Oil disasters are costly for public health and coastal economies. The Deepwater Horizon spill cost over $60 billion in cleanup and damages and continues to negatively affect communities and ecosystems today.

Thousands of oil spills already occur in the US every year - and expanded leasing will only increase that number.

Now is the time to be investing in renewable energy that is cleaner and greener than fossil fuels - this will generate more jobs while better protecting the health of our communities and oceans.

Sample Comment:

As a [Californian / business owner / resident of... / etc.], I am writing to oppose any inclusion of California’s coastal waters in new offshore oil and gas leasing.

California’s vibrant coastal economy, which generates billions of dollars every year, depends on clean, oil-free coasts.

Any new oil and gas drilling would be inherently risky and could have devastating consequences for our tourism, recreation, and fishing industries while harming our communities and marine ecosystems.

The expansion of offshore oil and gas is incredibly unpopular with the public, the fishing industry, business owners, elected officials, and coastal communities, with over 400 municipalities across the country formally opposing it. Californians across the political spectrum value clean and resilient coasts over expanded offshore drilling.

For these reasons, I urge BOEM to exclude California from any new oil and gas leasing.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

If sending by U.S. mail, label and address to:

Comments for the 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Ms. Kelly Hammerle,
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (VAM-LD),
45600 Woodland Road,
Sterling, VA 20166-9216

Attend bay area people’s hearing jan 16

The Surfrider Foundation is hosting a Bay Area People’s Hearing to oppose offshore oil and gas development on California’s coast. The hearing will include an educational presentation from Surfrider, comments from community leaders, groups, and businesses, and ways for you to take action. We hope to see you there!

Doors open at 4:00pm. Seats are first come, first serve. No large bags allowed.

Registration is required. Register at https://x.gldn.io/e/We0I2ciB9Yb.