A new year, a new administration. We are encouraged by the changes that we have seen so far, including Biden’s move to pause new offshore oil leases and the federal legislation, the West Coast Ocean Protection Act, introduced by Senator Feinstein, which would temporarily prohibit any leases off of the Pacific coast. Congressman Huffman also introduced a companion bill in the House. EAC and other NGOs had urged the new administration to take prompt action at the end of last year.
Marin Adopts Restrictions on Offshore Oil & Gas
Today, the Marin County Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance banning the development of onshore infrastructure for offshore oil and gas without a vote from Marin residents. This ordinance builds on Marin County’s past work to oppose fracking and the county’s prior 2018 resolution to support Protection of our Ocean and Coast from Offshore Drilling and Fracking. So far 90 resolutions in opposition to offshore drilling have been adopted along the West Coast since April 2017, when President Trump announced plans to drastically expand offshore drilling.
Marin Board of Supervisors Consider Offshore Oil and Gas Ordinance
It’s time to send in supportive comments to the Marin County Board of Supervisors regarding an important ordinance that expands local control and pushes back on President Trump’s proposed expansion of offshore oil and gas development along the Pacific Coast!
The ordinance will be considered on August 25, 2020 by the Board of Supervisors.
We Won't Forget the BP Deepwater Horizon Catastrophe
As we approach the 10 year anniversary of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill on April 20th, we remember the lasting impacts and lessons from such a devastating spill. It’s a good reminder of why EAC works alongside our partners in the Protect the Pacific coalition to oppose offshore oil. We continue our work to oppose offshore oil off of our local shores and beyond, because oil doesn’t stay in one place once it spills. And it always spills.
Attack on Our California Coast: Defending State’s Rights in Response to Federal Offshore Drilling Under the Coastal Zone Management Act
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released a March 11 Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking asking for public and corporate comments on ways the Trump Administration could “streamline” the all-important federal consistency process under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), thus weakening long-held state’s rights with respect to virtually all facets of federal offshore oil and gas drilling, seismic airgun petroleum exploration, and renewable energy projects. Public comments on this Federal Register Notice are due on April 25, 2019.
The Battle Against Offshore Oil Continues
We love the coast, so let’s make sure it isn’t covered in oil. EAC is working to oppose federal plans for offshore oil drilling and fracking with a statewide coalition which has been incredibly successful. As we look back on 2018, we can point to many victories. 50+ local resolutions were passed throughout the state opposing offshore oil drilling, including Marin’s Resolution in January. Two bills (SB 834 and AB 1775) were signed by Governor Brown to oppose offshore drilling. The Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast (BAPPC) was formed and includes many local businesses. Visit BAPPC if you know a business that would like to join!
California Loves the Coast - No Drill No Spill!
A recent survey published by the Public Policy Institute of California confirms what many of us already know, Californians love our coast! Nine in ten #PPICSurvey respondents want to maintain marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect fish and wildlife. Two in three Californians oppose drilling off our coast. Solid majorities across all age, education, income, and racial/ethnic groups are opposed.
CA Takes Major Steps to Ban Offshore Oil Drilling
May 30th, California's Assembly and Senate passed Assembly Bill 1775 and Senate Bill 834 respectively. The bills create new measures that will prevent offshore drilling by prohibiting the State Lands Commission from issuing new leases for oil-related infrastructure in California's coastal waters and preventing current leases from being modified to support new oil drilling. This is a major step towards preventing new offshore oil drilling infrastructure development, as oil industries interested in drilling offshore will need to transport their oil through Canada or Mexico. The legislature is expected to finalize and pass the bills in August.
EAC Goes to Sacramento for Offshore Oil Rally!
EAC and our members took to the streets on February 8th to rally against offshore oil drilling. Along with hundreds of environmental advocates and students, EAC was proud to be joined by two other West Marin non-profits, Turtle Island Restoration Network and Ocean Conservation Research.
The Marin County groups, along with other environmental organizations, rallied at the capitol building, then marched their way to the Sacramento public library where a federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hearing was held.
Marin County's Resolution Opposing Offshore Oil Drilling Passes!
EAC was one of the many organizations advocating in support of this resolution at yesterday's Board of Supervisors' meeting. The meeting opened up with Supervisor Dennis Rodoni reading the draft resolution requested by Supervisor Kate Sears and Supervisor Rodoni.
EAC's Conservation Director, Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, testified at the meeting in strong support of the resolution. Ashley highlighted the "priceless biodiversity and thriving marine ecosystems of the northern California coast" and their unique vulnerability to the impacts of an oil spill or fracking.
