Rep. Levin Aims To Ban New Offshore Drilling Leases

OCEANSIDE, CA — U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA), who represents the Oceanside area in Congress, introduced the American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act on May 7th. The bill seeks to prohibit any new leasing for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas along the Southern California coast, from San Diego to the northern border of San Luis Obispo County. The House Natural Resources Committee announced it will hold a hearing on Levin’s bill and other offshore drilling legislation on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

“The Southern California coast is home to world-renowned beaches, cherished marine life, and billions of dollars in ocean-based economic activity that are central to our quality of life but are threatened by offshore drilling,” said Rep. Levin. “Oil spills from offshore drilling have done devastating damage to our coastline before, which is why Californians overwhelmingly support a ban on new drilling activity along our coast.

In San Diego and Orange Counties, the ocean economy accounts for roughly $7.7 billion dollars in economic activity and sustains more than 140,000 jobs in coastal tourism and recreation. Fishing, tourism, and recreation along California’s coastline supports nearly 600,000 jobs and roughly $42.3 billion in economy activity. More than 4 million gallons of oil have been released into the Pacific Ocean as a result of the 1969 Santa Barbara blowout, the Refugio Beach spill of 2015, and other leaks from oil rig and pipeline activity, affecting more than 935 square miles of ocean.

"The American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act will protect Southern California's coastal environment, economy and way of life from the harmful effects of offshore oil and gas development,” said Pete Stauffer, Environmental Director, Surfrider Foundation. “The Surfrider Foundation strongly endorses the bill and urges members of Congress to support this and other legislation to permanently ban new offshore drilling in U.S. waters."

Read Rep. Mike Levin's full press release, here.

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