Capps, Feinstein & Boxer Oppose Bush Drilling Plans
Political Desk
August 12, 2005
Congresswoman Lois Capps, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer wrote to the California Coastal Commission this week urging it to support the Commission staff's recommendation regarding the proposed extension of 37 undeveloped federal oil and gas leases located off the coast of Santa Barbara, Ventura and San Luis Obispo counties.
The Coastal Commission staff recommended that the Commissioners object to the proposed lease extensions submitted by the U.S. Minerals Management Service because they have not provided sufficient information for the Commission to analyze whether the lease extensions are consistent with California's coastal protection laws. Due to the age of these leases, none of them have ever been reviewed by the California Coastal Commission.
"The staff's recommendation is right on target. The Commission should reject the lease extension requests because the Bush Administration failed to provide enough information about the harmful effects of developing these leases," Congresswoman Capps said. "I believe the Commission can and should stop the development of the 37 leases. That's the only way that our coast will be permanently protected from the threat of future drilling."
"Californians remain overwhelmingly opposed to drilling off the coast of California. The Coastal Commission is a California agency and should reflect the will of the majority of Californians," Senator Feinstein said. "It is my hope that the Commission denies the suspension of these leases. We must do everything we can to protect the 1,100 miles of California's renowned coastline."
Since June, 2001, Federal courts have twice ordered the Bush Administration to comply with the Coastal Zone Management Act and allow the California Coastal Commission to review the lease extensions to determine whether they are consistent with the state's coastal zone management plan. In April, 2004, the oil companies submitted their updated requests for extensions to MMS. The requests included schedules to commence exploratory and production drilling in the next two to three years.
Earlier this year, MMS issued limited final Environmental Assessments for the lease extensions. They found that extension of the leases would no significant impact on the environment. Capps and others had pressured the Administration to complete full Environmental Impact Statements for the lease extensions that included review of all impacts that could result from future exploration, development and production activities on the leases. Pursuant to previous court orders, MMS submitted the federal oil and gas lease extensions to the Coastal Commission for review. The Commission will make its decision on August 11th in Costa Mesa.
Capps added, "The amount of gas and oil available from the leases off our shores is extremely small. It's also far outweighed by the risks posed by new drilling to the tourism, recreation and fishing industries, and the marine environment. Californians know that their coasts are economically and environmentally valuable. We cannot gamble with our oceans and coasts."
The Coastal Commission staff recommended that the Commissioners object to the proposed lease extensions submitted by the U.S. Minerals Management Service because they have not provided sufficient information for the Commission to analyze whether the lease extensions are consistent with California's coastal protection laws. Due to the age of these leases, none of them have ever been reviewed by the California Coastal Commission.
"The staff's recommendation is right on target. The Commission should reject the lease extension requests because the Bush Administration failed to provide enough information about the harmful effects of developing these leases," Congresswoman Capps said. "I believe the Commission can and should stop the development of the 37 leases. That's the only way that our coast will be permanently protected from the threat of future drilling."
"Californians remain overwhelmingly opposed to drilling off the coast of California. The Coastal Commission is a California agency and should reflect the will of the majority of Californians," Senator Feinstein said. "It is my hope that the Commission denies the suspension of these leases. We must do everything we can to protect the 1,100 miles of California's renowned coastline."
Since June, 2001, Federal courts have twice ordered the Bush Administration to comply with the Coastal Zone Management Act and allow the California Coastal Commission to review the lease extensions to determine whether they are consistent with the state's coastal zone management plan. In April, 2004, the oil companies submitted their updated requests for extensions to MMS. The requests included schedules to commence exploratory and production drilling in the next two to three years.
Earlier this year, MMS issued limited final Environmental Assessments for the lease extensions. They found that extension of the leases would no significant impact on the environment. Capps and others had pressured the Administration to complete full Environmental Impact Statements for the lease extensions that included review of all impacts that could result from future exploration, development and production activities on the leases. Pursuant to previous court orders, MMS submitted the federal oil and gas lease extensions to the Coastal Commission for review. The Commission will make its decision on August 11th in Costa Mesa.
Capps added, "The amount of gas and oil available from the leases off our shores is extremely small. It's also far outweighed by the risks posed by new drilling to the tourism, recreation and fishing industries, and the marine environment. Californians know that their coasts are economically and environmentally valuable. We cannot gamble with our oceans and coasts."
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