This measure would provide that the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations, and opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan that would expose the state to new offshore drilling. The measure would also urge the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, and would request that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold more than one public hearing on the plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

This measure would provide that the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations, and opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan that would expose the state to new offshore drilling. The measure would also urge the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, and would request that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold more than one public hearing on the plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

This measure would provide that the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations, and opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan that would expose the state to new offshore drilling. The measure would also urge the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, and would request that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold more than one public hearing on the plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

This measure would provide that the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations, and opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan that would expose the state to new offshore drilling. The measure would also urge the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, and would request that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold more than one public hearing on the plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

This measure would provide that the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations, and opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan that would expose the state to new offshore drilling. The measure would also urge the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, and would request that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold more than one public hearing on the plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

WHEREAS, Californias iconic coastal and marine waters are one of our states most precious resources and, as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of Californias fish and wildlife resources and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors; and

WHEREAS, There are renewed calls for opening offshore areas for drilling and for lifting moratoriums on energy production in federal areas, which could lead to more oil spills, increased dependence on fossil fuels, and significant negative impacts on the states economy; and

WHEREAS, There have been no new offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969 blowout of a well in federal waters that sent an estimated three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean near the County of Santa Barbaras coastline, devastating wildlife, marine ecosystems, and tourism, and igniting the modern-day environmental movement; and

WHEREAS, Major spills have continued to occur along the California coast, including the 2015 Refugio oil spill, which spilled approximately 140,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in the County of Santa Barbara; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1921, and many times since, the Legislature has enacted laws that withdrew certain offshore areas from oil and gas leasing and, by 1989, the states offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium was in place; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, the Legislature made findings in Assembly Bill 2444 (Chapter 970 of the Statutes of 1994) that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the states marine environment; and

WHEREAS, In the same act, the Legislature enacted the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994, which included all of the states unleased waters subject to tidal influence and prohibited new oil and gas leases in the sanctuary, unless the President of the United States finds a severe energy supply interruption and has ordered distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Governor finds that the energy resources of the sanctuary will contribute significantly to alleviating that interruption, and the Legislature subsequently amends the act to allow such a lease; and

WHEREAS, Section 18 of the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) requires the preparation of a nationwide offshore oil and gas leasing program setting a five-year schedule of lease sales implemented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the United States Department of the Interior; and

WHEREAS, Consistent with the principles of Section 18 and the resulting regionally tailored leasing strategy, the current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas development is consistent with the long-standing interests of Pacific Coast states, as framed in the 2006 West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health adopted by the Governors of California, Washington, and Oregon; and

WHEREAS, In November 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a final 201722 leasing program that continues the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the undeveloped areas of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf; and

WHEREAS, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., in December 2016, requested that then President Obama permanently withdraw Californias Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas leasing, and, along with previous California governors, has united with the Governors of Oregon and Washington in an effort to commit to developing robust renewable energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and help us reach our carbon emission goals; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature has led the nation with its landmark climate change legislation, ambitiously requiring that statewide greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to at least 40 percent below their 1990 level by 2030, and achieving a renewables portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2030; California must lead the nation in fostering the transition away from offshore fossil fuel production to protect both our climate and oceans from the damaging impacts of climate change, which will affect all life on earth for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed a five-year leasing plan that would commit 90 percent of the nations offshore reserves to leasing, including two new leases each for northern, central, and southern California in areas that have been off limits to oil and gas exploration since the Reagan administration; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed reversing critical offshore drilling safety regulations promulgated after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig disaster; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has proposed only one public hearing on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California despite the significant impacts of that proposal on northern, central, and southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration is considering removing the State of Florida from that proposal due to the proposals potential negative impacts on tourism; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Ocean Economic Program, in 2014, Californias coastal economy employed 15.8 million people, generated approximately $2.1 trillion, and created an estimated 85 percent of Californias gross domestic product; accordingly, Californias economy is roughly three times the size of Floridas economy and Californias coastal counties generate more than three times as much revenue as Floridas coastal counties; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of millions of California residents and visitors enjoy the states ocean and coast for recreation, exploration, and tourism, generating nearly $20 billion and collectively comprising the largest sector of the states $44 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature considers new oil and gas offshore drilling and any reversal of associated safety regulations to be threats to the nations economy, national security, and the states ambitious renewable energy goals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes attempts to modify the prohibition, and will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature requests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature further strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan, which would expose the state to new offshore drilling, and urges United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to remove California from the plan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Governor of California, to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and to each member of the California State Senate and Assembly.

WHEREAS, Californias iconic coastal and marine waters are one of our states most precious resources and, as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of Californias fish and wildlife resources and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors; and

WHEREAS, There are renewed calls for opening offshore areas for drilling and for lifting moratoriums on energy production in federal areas, which could lead to more oil spills, increased dependence on fossil fuels, and significant negative impacts on the states economy; and

WHEREAS, There have been no new offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969 blowout of a well in federal waters that sent an estimated three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean near the County of Santa Barbaras coastline, devastating wildlife, marine ecosystems, and tourism, and igniting the modern-day environmental movement; and

WHEREAS, Major spills have continued to occur along the California coast, including the 2015 Refugio oil spill, which spilled approximately 140,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in the County of Santa Barbara; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1921, and many times since, the Legislature has enacted laws that withdrew certain offshore areas from oil and gas leasing and, by 1989, the states offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium was in place; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, the Legislature made findings in Assembly Bill 2444 (Chapter 970 of the Statutes of 1994) that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the states marine environment; and

WHEREAS, In the same act, the Legislature enacted the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994, which included all of the states unleased waters subject to tidal influence and prohibited new oil and gas leases in the sanctuary, unless the President of the United States finds a severe energy supply interruption and has ordered distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Governor finds that the energy resources of the sanctuary will contribute significantly to alleviating that interruption, and the Legislature subsequently amends the act to allow such a lease; and

WHEREAS, Section 18 of the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) requires the preparation of a nationwide offshore oil and gas leasing program setting a five-year schedule of lease sales implemented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the United States Department of the Interior; and

WHEREAS, Consistent with the principles of Section 18 and the resulting regionally tailored leasing strategy, the current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas development is consistent with the long-standing interests of Pacific Coast states, as framed in the 2006 West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health adopted by the Governors of California, Washington, and Oregon; and

WHEREAS, In November 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a final 201722 leasing program that continues the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the undeveloped areas of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf; and

WHEREAS, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., in December 2016, requested that then President Obama permanently withdraw Californias Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas leasing, and, along with previous California governors, has united with the Governors of Oregon and Washington in an effort to commit to developing robust renewable energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and help us reach our carbon emission goals; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature has led the nation with its landmark climate change legislation, ambitiously requiring that statewide greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to at least 40 percent below their 1990 level by 2030, and achieving a renewables portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2030; California must lead the nation in fostering the transition away from offshore fossil fuel production to protect both our climate and oceans from the damaging impacts of climate change, which will affect all life on earth for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed a five-year leasing plan that would commit 90 percent of the nations offshore reserves to leasing, including two new leases each for northern, central, and southern California in areas that have been off limits to oil and gas exploration since the Reagan administration; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed reversing critical offshore drilling safety regulations promulgated after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig disaster; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has proposed only one public hearing on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California despite the significant impacts of that proposal on northern, central, and southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration is considering removing the State of Florida from that proposal due to the proposals potential negative impacts on tourism; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Ocean Economic Program, in 2014, Californias coastal economy employed 15.8 million people, generated approximately $2.1 trillion, and created an estimated 85 percent of Californias gross domestic product; accordingly, Californias economy is roughly three times the size of Floridas economy and Californias coastal counties generate more than three times as much revenue as Floridas coastal counties; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of millions of California residents and visitors enjoy the states ocean and coast for recreation, exploration, and tourism, generating nearly $20 billion and collectively comprising the largest sector of the states $44 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature considers new oil and gas offshore drilling and any reversal of associated safety regulations to be threats to the nations economy, national security, and the states ambitious renewable energy goals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes attempts to modify the prohibition, and will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature requests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature further strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan, which would expose the state to new offshore drilling, and urges United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to remove California from the plan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Governor of California, to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and to each member of the California State Senate and Assembly.

WHEREAS, Californias iconic coastal and marine waters are one of our states most precious resources and, as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of Californias fish and wildlife resources and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors; and

WHEREAS, There are renewed calls for opening offshore areas for drilling and for lifting moratoriums on energy production in federal areas, which could lead to more oil spills, increased dependence on fossil fuels, and significant negative impacts on the states economy; and

WHEREAS, There have been no new offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969 blowout of a well in federal waters that sent an estimated three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean near the County of Santa Barbaras coastline, devastating wildlife, marine ecosystems, and tourism, and igniting the modern-day environmental movement; and

WHEREAS, Major spills have continued to occur along the California coast, including the 2015 Refugio oil spill, which spilled approximately 140,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in the County of Santa Barbara; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1921, and many times since, the Legislature has enacted laws that withdrew certain offshore areas from oil and gas leasing and, by 1989, the states offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium was in place; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, the Legislature made findings in Assembly Bill 2444 (Chapter 970 of the Statutes of 1994) that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the states marine environment; and

WHEREAS, In the same act, the Legislature enacted the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994, which included all of the states unleased waters subject to tidal influence and prohibited new oil and gas leases in the sanctuary, unless the President of the United States finds a severe energy supply interruption and has ordered distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Governor finds that the energy resources of the sanctuary will contribute significantly to alleviating that interruption, and the Legislature subsequently amends the act to allow such a lease; and

WHEREAS, Section 18 of the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) requires the preparation of a nationwide offshore oil and gas leasing program setting a five-year schedule of lease sales implemented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the United States Department of the Interior; and

WHEREAS, Consistent with the principles of Section 18 and the resulting regionally tailored leasing strategy, the current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas development is consistent with the long-standing interests of Pacific Coast states, as framed in the 2006 West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health adopted by the Governors of California, Washington, and Oregon; and

WHEREAS, In November 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a final 201722 leasing program that continues the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the undeveloped areas of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf; and

WHEREAS, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., in December 2016, requested that then President Obama permanently withdraw Californias Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas leasing, and, along with previous California governors, has united with the Governors of Oregon and Washington in an effort to commit to developing robust renewable energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and help us reach our carbon emission goals; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature has led the nation with its landmark climate change legislation, ambitiously requiring that statewide greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to at least 40 percent below their 1990 level by 2030, and achieving a renewables portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2030; California must lead the nation in fostering the transition away from offshore fossil fuel production to protect both our climate and oceans from the damaging impacts of climate change, which will affect all life on earth for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed a five-year leasing plan that would commit 90 percent of the nations offshore reserves to leasing, including two new leases each for northern, central, and southern California in areas that have been off limits to oil and gas exploration since the Reagan administration; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed reversing critical offshore drilling safety regulations promulgated after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig disaster; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has proposed only one public hearing on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California despite the significant impacts of that proposal on northern, central, and southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration removed is considering removing the State of Florida from that proposal due to the proposals potential negative impacts on tourism; and

WHEREAS, According to the National Ocean Economic Program, in 2014, Californias coastal economy employed 15.8 million people, generated approximately $2.1 trillion, and created an estimated 85 percent of Californias gross domestic product; accordingly, Californias economy is roughly three times the size of Floridas economy and Californias coastal counties generate more than three times as much revenue as Floridas coastal counties; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of millions of California residents and visitors enjoy the states ocean and coast for recreation, exploration, and tourism, generating nearly $20 billion and collectively comprising the largest sector of the states $445 $44 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature considers new oil and gas offshore drilling and any reversal of associated safety regulations to be threats to the nations economy, national security, and the states ambitious renewable energy goals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes attempts to modify the prohibition, and will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature requests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature further strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan, which would expose the state to new offshore drilling, and urges United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to remove California from the plan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Governor of California, to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and to each member of the California State Senate and Assembly.

WHEREAS, Californias iconic coastal and marine waters are one of our states most precious resources and, as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of Californias fish and wildlife resources and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors; and

WHEREAS, There are renewed calls for opening offshore areas for drilling and for lifting moratoriums on energy production in federal areas, which could lead to more oil spills, increased dependence on fossil fuels, and significant negative impacts on the states economy; and

WHEREAS, There have been no new offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969 blowout of a well in federal waters that sent an estimated three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean near the County of Santa Barbaras coastline, devastating wildlife, marine ecosystems, and tourism, and igniting the modern-day environmental movement; and

WHEREAS, Major spills have continued to occur along the California coast, including the 2015 Refugio oil spill, which spilled approximately 140,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in the County of Santa Barbara; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1921, and many times since, the Legislature has enacted laws that withdrew certain offshore areas from oil and gas leasing and, by 1989, the states offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium was in place; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, the Legislature made findings in Assembly Bill 2444 (Chapter 970 of the Statutes of 1994) that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the states marine environment; and

WHEREAS, In the same act, the Legislature enacted the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994, which included all of the states unleased waters subject to tidal influence and prohibited new oil and gas leases in the sanctuary, unless the President of the United States finds a severe energy supply interruption and has ordered distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Governor finds that the energy resources of the sanctuary will contribute significantly to alleviating that interruption, and the Legislature subsequently amends the act to allow such a lease; and

WHEREAS, Section 18 of the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) requires the preparation of a nationwide offshore oil and gas leasing program setting a five-year schedule of lease sales implemented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the United States Department of the Interior; and

WHEREAS, Consistent with the principles of Section 18 and the resulting regionally tailored leasing strategy, the current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas development is consistent with the long-standing interests of Pacific Coast states, as framed in the 2006 West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health adopted by the Governors of California, Washington, and Oregon; and

WHEREAS, In November 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a final 201722 leasing program that continues the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the undeveloped areas of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf; and

WHEREAS, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., in December 2016, requested that then President Obama permanently withdraw Californias Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas leasing, and, along with previous California governors, has united with the Governors of Oregon and Washington in an effort to commit to developing robust renewable energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and help us reach our carbon emission goals; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature has led the nation with its landmark climate change legislation, ambitiously requiring that statewide greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to at least 40 percent below their 1990 level by 2030, and achieving a renewables portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2030; California must lead the nation in fostering the transition away from offshore fossil fuel production to protect both our climate and oceans from the damaging impacts of climate change, which will affect all life on earth for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed a five-year leasing plan that would commit 90 percent of the nations offshore reserves to leasing, including two new leases each for northern, central, and southern California in areas that have been off limits to oil and gas exploration since the Reagan administration; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed reversing critical offshore drilling safety regulations promulgated after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig disaster; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has proposed only one public hearing on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California despite the significant impacts of that proposal on northern, central, and southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration removed the State of Florida from that proposal due to the proposals potential negative impacts on tourism; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Ocean Economic Program, in 2014, Californias coastal counties economy employed 15.8 million people, generated approximately $2 $2.1 trillion, with nearly $20 billion of those dollars coming from the tourism and recreation industry, and created an estimated 85 percent of Californias gross domestic product is generated from coastal counties; product; accordingly, Californias economy is roughly three times the size of Floridas economy and Californias coastal counties generate more than three times as much revenue as Floridas coastal counties; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of millions of California residents and visitors enjoy the states ocean and coast for recreation, exploration, and tourism, which generating nearly $20 billion and collectively comprise comprising the largest sector of the states $445 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature considers new oil and gas offshore drilling and any reversal of associated safety regulations to be threats to the nations economy, national security, and the states ambitious renewable energy goals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes attempts to modify the prohibition, and will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature requests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature further strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan, which would expose the state to new offshore drilling, and urges United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to remove California from the plan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Governor of California, to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and to each member of the California State Senate and Assembly.

WHEREAS, Californias iconic coastal and marine waters are one of our states most precious resources and, as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of Californias fish and wildlife resources and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors; and

WHEREAS, There are renewed calls for opening offshore areas for drilling and for lifting moratoriums on energy production in federal areas, which could lead to more oil spills, increased dependence on fossil fuels, and significant negative impacts on the states economy; and

WHEREAS, There have been no new offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969 blowout of a well in federal waters that sent an estimated three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean near the County of Santa Barbaras coastline, devastating wildlife, marine ecosystems, and tourism, and igniting the modern-day environmental movement; and

WHEREAS, Major spills have continued to occur along the California coast, including the 2015 Refugio oil spill, which spilled approximately 140,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in the County of Santa Barbara; and

WHEREAS, Beginning in 1921, and many times since, the Legislature has enacted laws that withdrew certain offshore areas from oil and gas leasing and, by 1989, the states offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium was in place; and

WHEREAS, In 1994, the Legislature made findings in Assembly Bill 2444 (Chapter 970 of the Statutes of 1994) that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the states marine environment; and

WHEREAS, In the same act, the Legislature enacted the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994, which included all of the states unleased waters subject to tidal influence and prohibited new oil and gas leases in the sanctuary, unless the President of the United States finds a severe energy supply interruption and has ordered distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Governor finds that the energy resources of the sanctuary will contribute significantly to alleviating that interruption, and the Legislature subsequently amends the act to allow such a lease; and

WHEREAS, Section 18 of the federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.) requires the preparation of a nationwide offshore oil and gas leasing program setting a five-year schedule of lease sales implemented by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management within the United States Department of the Interior; and

WHEREAS, Consistent with the principles of Section 18 and the resulting regionally tailored leasing strategy, the current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas development is consistent with the long-standing interests of Pacific Coast states, as framed in the 2006 West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health adopted by the Governors of California, Washington, and Oregon; and

WHEREAS, In November 2016, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management released a final 201722 leasing program that continues the moratorium on oil and gas leasing in the undeveloped areas of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf; and

WHEREAS, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., in December 2016, requested that then President Obama permanently withdraw Californias Outer Continental Shelf from new oil and gas leasing, and, along with previous California governors, has united with the Governors of Oregon and Washington in an effort to commit to developing robust renewable energy sources to reduce our dependence on fossil fuel and help us reach our carbon emission goals; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature has led the nation with its landmark climate change legislation, ambitiously requiring that statewide greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to at least 40 percent below their 1990 level by 2030, and achieving a renewables portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2030; California must lead the nation in fostering the transition away from offshore fossil fuel production to protect both our climate and oceans from the damaging impacts of climate change, which will affect all life on earth for generations to come; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed a five-year leasing plan that would commit 90 percent of the nations offshore reserves to leasing, including two new leases each for northern, central, and southern California in areas that have been off limits to oil and gas exploration since the Reagan administration; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration has proposed reversing critical offshore drilling safety regulations promulgated after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig disaster; and

WHEREAS, The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has proposed only one public hearing on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California despite the significant impacts of that proposal on northern, central, and southern California; and

WHEREAS, The Trump administration removed the State of Florida from that proposal due to the proposals potential negative impacts on tourism; and

WHEREAS, According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2014, Californias coastal counties generated approximately $2 trillion, with nearly $20 billion of those dollars coming from the tourism and recreation industry, and an estimated 85 percent of Californias gross domestic product is generated from coastal counties; accordingly, Californias economy is roughly three times the size of Floridas economy and Californias coastal counties generate more than three times as much revenue as Floridas coastal counties; and

WHEREAS, Hundreds of millions of California residents and visitors enjoy the states ocean and coast for recreation, exploration, and tourism, which collectively comprise the largest sector of the states $445 billion ocean economy; and

WHEREAS, The Legislature considers new oil and gas offshore drilling and any reversal of associated safety regulations to be threats to the nations economy, national security, and the states ambitious renewable energy goals; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly and the Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes attempts to modify the prohibition, and will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature requests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature further strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administrations proposed leasing plan, which would expose the state to new offshore drilling, and urges United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to remove California from the plan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Governor of California, to the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States Senate, to the Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives, to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States, to the Secretary of the United States Department of the Interior, to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and to each member of the California State Senate and Assembly.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: AJR 29

Author: Limón (D), Chiu (D), Gloria (D), Muratsuchi (D), Wood (D), and et al.

Amended: 1/30/18 in Assembly

Vote: 21

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: Read and adopted, 2/6/18

SUBJECT: Oil and gas: offshore drilling: operations: leases

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This resolution provides that the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes the Trump administration’s proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations, and opposes the Trump administration’s proposed leasing plan that would expose the state to new offshore drilling. This resolution also urges the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, and requests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold more than one public hearing on the plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. California’s iconic coastal and marine waters are one of our state’s most precious resources and, as elected officials, it is our duty to ensure the long-term viability of California’s fish and wildlife resources and thriving fishing, tourism, and recreation sectors.
2. There are renewed calls for opening offshore areas for drilling and for lifting moratoriums on energy production in federal areas, which could lead to more oil spills, increased dependence on fossil fuels, and significant negative impacts on the state’s economy.
3. There have been no new offshore oil and gas leases in California since the 1969 blowout of a well in federal waters that sent an estimated three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean near the County of Santa Barbara’s coastline, devastating wildlife, marine ecosystems, and tourism, and igniting the modern-day environmental movement.
4. Major spills have continued to occur along the California coast, including the 2015 Refugio oil spill, which spilled approximately 140,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in the County of Santa Barbara.
5. Beginning in 1921, and many times since, the Legislature has enacted laws that withdrew certain offshore areas from oil and gas leasing and, by 1989, the state’s offshore oil and gas leasing moratorium was in place.
6. In 1994, the Legislature made findings in Assembly Bill 2444 (Chapter 970 of the Statutes of 1994) that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the state’s marine environment.
7. In the same act, the Legislature enacted the California Coastal Sanctuary Act of 1994, which included all of the state’s unleased waters subject to tidal influence and prohibited new oil and gas leases in the sanctuary, unless the President of the United States finds a severe energy supply interruption and has ordered distribution of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the Governor finds that the energy resources of the sanctuary will contribute significantly to alleviating that interruption, and the Legislature subsequently amends the act to allow such a lease.
8. The Legislature has led the nation with its landmark climate change legislation, ambitiously requiring that statewide greenhouse gas emissions be reduced to at least 40 percent below their 1990 level by 2030, and achieving a renewables portfolio standard of 50 percent by 2030; California must lead the nation in fostering the transition away from offshore fossil fuel production to protect both our climate and oceans from the damaging impacts of climate change, which will affect all life on earth for generations to come.
9. The Trump administration has proposed a five-year leasing plan that would commit 90 percent of the nation’s offshore reserves to leasing, including two new leases each for northern, central, and southern California in areas that have been off limits to oil and gas exploration since the Reagan administration; and
10. The Trump administration has proposed reversing critical offshore drilling safety regulations promulgated after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig disaster.
11. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has proposed only one public hearing on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California despite the significant impacts of that proposal on northern, central, and southern California.
12. The Trump administration removed is considering removing the State of Florida from that proposal due to the proposal’s potential negative impacts on tourism.

This resolution provides that the Legislature:

1. Strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes attempts to modify the prohibition, and will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition.
2. Strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administration’s proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations.
3. Requests that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.
4. Strongly and unequivocally opposes the Trump administration’s proposed leasing plan, which would expose the state to new offshore drilling, and urges United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke to remove California from the plan.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 2/8/18)

350 Riverside

350 Silicon Valley

350 South Bay Los Angeles

Azul

California Coastal Protection Network

California Coastkeeper Alliance

Center for Biological Diversity

Clean Water Action

Community Environmental Council

Defenders of Wildlife

EarthJustice

Earthworks

Environment California

Environmental Defense Center

Environmental Defense Fund

EPIC

Fossil Free California

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

Heal the Bay

Long Beach Gray Panthers

National Parks Conservation Association

National Wildlife Federation

Natural Resource Defense Council

NextGen California

Ocean Conservancy

Oceana

Planning and Conservation League

Plastic Pollution Coalition

Save Our Shores

Save the Bay

Seventh Generation Advisors

Sierra Club California

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

The 5 Gyers Institute

The Ocean Foundation

The Trust for Public Land

Ventura County Board of Supervisors

Ventura County Climate Hub

Voices for Progress

Wholly H2O

Wildcoast

OPPOSITION: (Verified 2/8/18)

None received

ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The supporters writes, “In 2017, a Public Policy Institute of California survey affirmed that regardless of age, income and racial/ethnic background, 73 percent of Californians consider the condition of the ocean and beaches very important to both the economy and their quality of life. Across the state, California’s communities, businesses and residents have expressed opposition to further offshore oil drilling and should have more than one opportunity to make their voices heard; AJR 29 would not only urge the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, but would request that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) hold more than the one public hearing planned for California.”

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

2/21/18 15:30:56

**** END ****

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AJR 29

Author:(Limón, et al.)

As Amended Ver:January 30, 2018

Majority Vote.

SUMMARY: Declares the Legislature's opposition to expanded offshore drilling in federal waters off the California coast. Requests United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke (Secretary Zinke) to remove California from the proposed Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) oil and gas leasing plan. Specifically, this resolution:

1. States a number of findings, including:
   1. California's coastline is one of the state's most valuable resources and it is the duty of elected officials to ensure long-term viability of the state's coastal and marine resources;
   2. In 2012, ocean and coastal recreation, exploration, and tourism generated nearly $20 billion dollars, the largest sector of the California's $44 billion dollar ocean economy;
   3. The Trump Administration has proposed a five-year plan that would commit 90% of the nation's offshore reserves to leasing, including a total of 6 new leases spread across northern, central and southern California; and,
   4. The current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (POCS) from new oil and gas development is consistent with the 2006 West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health and the BOEM 2017-22 leasing program, which continues the moratorium on new oil and gas leasing in currently undeveloped areas of the POCS.
2. Resolves that the Assembly and Senate of the State of California jointly support the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California; oppose attempts to modify the prohibition; oppose the removal of safety and environmental protections; request that the BOEM hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State; and, will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition.
3. Resolves that the Legislature urges Secretary Zinke to remove California from the proposed plan.

EXISTING LAW:

1. The California Coastal Sanctuary Act (CCSA) of 1994:
   1. Makes findings and declarations that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the marine environment of the state. (State waters generally extend out three nautical miles from the shore.)
   2. Establishes the California Coastal Sanctuary (Sanctuary), which includes all state waters subject to tidal influence west of the Carquinez Bridge, except waters covered by oil or gas leases in effect on January 1, 1995, unless the lease is deeded or otherwise reverts to the state after that date.
   3. Generally prohibits a state agency or state officer from entering into any new lease for the extraction of oil or gas from the Sanctuary.
   4. Authorizes the State Lands Commission (SLC) to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands in the Sanctuary if the SLC determines that those oil or gas deposits are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interest of the state.
   5. Authorizes SLC to adjust the boundaries of an existing offshore oil and gas lease to encompass all of an oil and gas field partially contained in the lease.
2. The federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCS Lands Act):
   1. Defines the ''Outer Continental Shelf'' (OCS) as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction.
   2. Declares, among other things, that it is the United States policy that the OCS is a vital national resource reserve held by the federal government for the public, which should be made available for expeditious and orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards, in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of competition and other national needs.
   3. Requires the Department of the Interior (Interior) to prepare, periodically revise, and maintain an oil and gas leasing program that consists of a schedule of proposed lease sales indicating, as precisely as possible, the size, timing, and location of leasing activity that Interior determines will best meet national energy needs for the five-year period following its approval or re-approval. Gives priority leasing consideration to areas where the combination of previous experience; local, state, and national laws and policies; and expressions of industry interest indicate that potential leasing and development activities could be expected to proceed in an orderly manner.

FISCAL EFFECT: None. This bill is keyed non-fiscal by the Legislative Counsel.

COMMENTS: No new offshore oil and gas leases have been granted by the SLC since the 1969 oil spill in federal waters off the Santa Barbara coast that released approximately three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean. In 1994, the Legislature passed the California Coastal Sanctuary Act, which officially removed all state lands underlying the Pacific Ocean from leasing consideration due to the unacceptably high risk drilling imposes on the coastal economy and marine life.

Generally, state lands extend three miles from the coast; beyond this distance is under federal jurisdiction. The federal government imposed a moratorium on new leases in federal waters off of California in 1984; in 1990, President George H.W. Bush used section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to prevent leases for 10 years off the coast of California and other states. This freeze on leases was extended through 2012 by President Bill Clinton. President George W. Bush terminated the freeze in 2008, but no new leases were issued off the California coast following this termination. President Barack Obama issued an executive order extending the moratorium on new leases from December of 2016 through 2022 under section 12(a) of the OCSLA.

Existing wells continue to endanger California's coast. In 1997, a pipeline owned by Houston-based Nuevo Energy off the Santa Barbara County coast ruptured due to a faulty weld, spilling crude oil into the ocean about two and a half miles from the shore. The oil spread approximately four miles, oiling wildlife and killing hundreds of seabirds. In 2015, a pipeline owned by Houston-based Plains All American Pipeline ruptured, spilling over 101,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in Santa Barbara County. It is estimated that as much as 21,000 gallons of the oil went down a storm culvert onto cliffs and into the Pacific Ocean, ultimately stretching over nine miles of California coastline. These events highlight the persistent risk of existing oil infrastructure in the State.

In January 2018, the Trump administration announced its plan to lift the moratorium put in place by President Obama, opening 90% of federal waters, including off the California's coast, to new drilling leases. In a tweet, Secretary Zinke indicated that Florida could be exempted from new leases due to concerns about impacts on the tourism industry, but this decision has not been reflected in BOEM's proposed OCS oil and gas leasing plan.

Analysis Prepared by: Dylan Chapple / NAT. RES. / (916) 319-2092 FN: 0002578

Date of Hearing: February 5, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Cristina Garcia, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AJR 29 (

Author:Limón) – As Amended Ver:January 30, 2018

SUBJECT: Oil and gas: offshore drilling: operations: leases

SUMMARY: Declares the Legislature’s opposition to expanded offshore drilling in federal waters off the California coast. Requests United States Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke (Secretary Zinke) to remove California from the proposed Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) oil and gas leasing plan.

EXISTING LAW:

1. The California Coastal Sanctuary Act (CCSA) of 1994:
   1. Makes findings and declarations that offshore oil and gas production in certain areas of state waters poses an unacceptably high risk of damage and disruption to the marine environment of the state. (State waters generally extend out three nautical miles from the shore.)
   2. Establishes the California Coastal Sanctuary (Sanctuary), which includes all state waters subject to tidal influence west of the Carquinez Bridge, except waters covered by oil or gas leases in effect on January 1, 1995, unless the lease is deeded or otherwise reverts to the state after that date.
   3. Generally prohibits a state agency or state officer from entering into any new lease for the extraction of oil or gas from the Sanctuary.
   4. Authorizes the State Lands Commission (SLC) to enter into any lease for the extraction of oil or gas from state-owned tide and submerged lands in the Sanctuary if the SLC determines that those oil or gas deposits are being drained by means of producing wells upon adjacent federal lands and the lease is in the best interest of the state.
   5. Authorizes SLC to adjust the boundaries of an existing offshore oil and gas lease to encompass all of an oil and gas field partially contained in the lease.
2. The federal Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCS Lands Act):
   1. Defines the ‘‘Outer Continental Shelf’’ (OCS) as all submerged lands lying between the seaward extent of state jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction.
   2. Declares, among other things, that it is the U.S. policy that the OCS is a vital national resource reserve held by the federal government for the public, which should be made available for expeditious and orderly development, subject to environmental safeguards, in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of competition and other national needs.
      
   3. Requires the Department of the Interior (Interior) to prepare, periodically revise, and maintain an oil and gas leasing program that consists of a schedule of proposed lease sales indicating, as precisely as possible, the size, timing, and location of leasing activity that Interior determines will best meet national energy needs for the five-year period following its approval or re-approval. Gives priority leasing consideration to areas where the combination of previous experience; local, state, and national laws and policies; and expressions of industry interest indicate that potential leasing and development activities could be expected to proceed in an orderly manner.
      

THIS RESOLUTION:

1. States a number of findings, including:
   1. California’s coastline is one of the state’s most valuable resources and it is the duty of elected officials to ensure long-term viability of the state’s coastal and marine resources;
   2. In 2012, ocean and coastal recreation, exploration, and tourism generated nearly $20 billion dollars, the largest sector of the California’s $44 billion dollar ocean economy;
   3. The Trump Administration has proposed a five-year plan that would commit 90% of the nation’s offshore reserves to leasing, including a total of 6 new leases spread across northern, central and southern California; and,
   4. The current exclusion of the Pacific Outer Continental Shelf (POCS) from new oil and gas development is consistent with the 2006 West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health and the BOEM 2017-22 leasing program, which continues the moratorium on new oil and gas leasing in currently undeveloped areas of the POCS.
2. Resolves that the Assembly and Senate of the State of California jointly support the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California; oppose attempts to modify the prohibition; oppose the removal of safety and environmental protections; request that the BOEM hold additional public hearings on the proposed leasing plan in the State; and, will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition.
3. Resolves that the Legislature urges Secretary Zinke to remove California from the proposed plan.

FISCAL EFFECT: Non-fiscal

COMMENTS:

1. Author’s statement:

“This measure would provide that the Legislature strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil and gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes the Trump administration’s proposal to remove safety and environmental protections related to offshore drilling operations, and opposes the Trump administration’s proposed leasing plan that would expose the state to new offshore drilling. The measure would also urge the United States Secretary of the Interior to remove California from that proposed leasing plan, and would request that the BOEM hold more than one public hearing on the plan in the State of California to ensure that all Californians have an opportunity to have their voices heard.”

1. Background. No new offshore oil and gas leases have been granted by the SLC since the 1969 oil spill in federal waters off the Santa Barbara coast that released approximately three million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean. In 1994, the Legislature passed the California Coastal Sanctuary Act, which officially removed all state lands underlying the Pacific Ocean from leasing consideration due to the unacceptably high risk drilling imposes on the coastal economy and marine life.

Generally, state lands extend three miles from the coast; beyond this distance is under federal jurisdiction. The federal government imposed a moratorium on new leases in federal waters off of California in 1984; in 1990, President George H.W. Bush used section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) to prevent leases for 10 years off the coast of California and other states. This freeze on leases was extended through 2012 by President Bill Clinton. President George W. Bush terminated the freeze in 2008, but no new leases were issued off the California coast following this termination. President Barack Obama issued an executive order extending the moratorium on new leases from December of 2016 through 2022 under section 12(a) of the OCSLA.

Existing wells continue to endanger California’s coast. In 1997, a pipeline owned by Houston-based Nuevo Energy off the Santa Barbara County coast ruptured due to a faulty weld, spilling crude oil into the ocean about two and a half miles from the shore. The oil spread approximately four miles, oiling wildlife and killing hundreds of seabirds. In 2015, a pipeline owned by Houston-based Plains All American Pipeline ruptured, spilling up to 101,000 gallons of heavy crude oil along the Gaviota coast in Santa Barbara County. It is estimated that as much as 21,000 gallons of the oil went down a storm culvert onto cliffs and into the Pacific Ocean, ultimately stretching over nine miles of California coastline. These events highlight the persistent risk of existing oil infrastructure in the State.

In January 2018, the Trump administration announced its plan to lift the moratorium put in place by President Obama, opening 90 percent of federal waters, including off the California’s coast, to new drilling leases. In a tweet, Secretary Zinke indicated that Florida could be exempted from new leases due to concerns about impacts on the tourism industry, but this decision has not been reflected in BOEM’s proposed OCS oil and gas leasing plan.

1. Prior/Related Legislation:

SB 188 (Jackson, 2017) prohibits the Commission or local trustees from entering into any lease or other conveyance that would result in increased oil or natural gas production from federal waters. SB 188 prohibits the Commission or local trustees from entering into any lease renewal, extension, or modification that authorizes a lessee to engage in activities that would result in increased oil or natural gas production from federal waters. SB 188 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

SR 35 (Jackson, 2017), strongly and unequivocally supports the current federal prohibition on new oil or gas drilling in federal waters offshore California, opposes attempts to modify the prohibition, and will consider any appropriate actions to maintain the prohibition. This resolution was adopted on the Senate Floor.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

350 Riverside

350 Silicon Valley

350 South Bay Los Angeles

The 5 Gyers Institute

Azul

California Coastal Protection Network

California Coastkeeper Alliance

Center for Biological Diversity

Clean Water Action

Community Environmental Council

Defenders of Wildlife

Earthjustice
Environmental Defense Center

Environment California

EPIC

Fossil Free California

Friends Committee on Legislation of California

Friends of the Earth

Heal The Bay

Long Beach Gray Panthers

National Parks Conservation Association

National Wildlife Federation

Natural Resources Defense Council

NextGen California

Ocean Conservancy

The Ocean Foundation

Oceana

Planning and Conservation League

Plastic Pollution Coalition

Save Our Shores

Save The Bay

Seventh Generation Advisors

Sierra Club California

Sunflower Alliance

Surfrider Foundation

The Trust for Public Land

Ventura County Climate Hub

Voices for Progress

Wholly H2O

WILDCOAST

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Dylan Chapple / NAT. RES. /