Rep. Panetta Convenes Local Leaders to Discuss Ways to Reject Administration’s Leasing Plans for Offshore Oil Extraction

Rep. Panetta Convenes Local Leaders to Discuss Ways to Reject Administration's Leasing Plans for Offshore Oil Extraction

Santa Cruz, CA - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta convened community leaders in opposition to the Administration's leaked Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program Draft Proposal, which would open up the California coast to new offshore oil and gas drilling and seabed mining.

"Our oceans and coastline represent far more than just beauty here on the central coast of California, as they're our economic engine, our legacy, and our gift to the next generation," said Rep. Panetta. "During the first Trump Administration, we successfully fought back to protect our home from offshore oil drilling, and this time won't be any different as long as we work together. Although there are certain protections already in place, we always must be ready to stand shoulder-to-shoulder so that we can go toe-to-toe with any administration or corporation that threatens our oceans, coastlines, and way of life."

Raising the alarm that the U.S. Department of Interior's leaked draft proposal could harm the central coast of California, Rep. Panetta hosted a roundtable with local community leaders and environmental stakeholders. The roundtable was followed by a press conference at the Santa Cruz Wharf where Rep. Panetta and local leaders called on the community to stand together against this Administration's leasing plans for offshore oil drilling and emphasized the necessity of pushing back against new offshore drilling and mining in our protected waters.

The local leaders who stood together with Rep. Panetta included City of Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley, State Senator John Laird, a representative from Assemblymember Gail Pellerin's office, Santa Cruz County Supervisor Justin Cummings, City of Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson, Executive Director of Save Our Shores Katie Thompson, and community advocate Dan Haifley.

"For nearly fifty years, Californians have united to protect our coast from the dangers of offshore drilling," said Katie Thompson, the Executive Director of Save Our Shores. "The Trump Administration's proposal ignores both science and the will of the people. Save Our Shores is grateful for Representative Panetta's leadership in standing up for our ocean and our coast."

"Thank you, Congressman Panetta, for standing up for our coast and our communities," said Assemblymember Dawn Addis (AD-30). "I've worked tirelessly to make sure local voices are heard when oil production threatens our health and well-being, and I'll continue to do so. Californians have made it clear: we reject any effort to open our coast to offshore drilling. We won't stand by while the President endangers our economy or our pristine environment. I look forward to continue to work alongside Congressman Panetta to protect the Central Coast."

"Working together to oppose a proposed plan that may include leases off California is one of the most important steps that can be taken to protect our ocean and our coastal communities," said Julie Packard, the Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. "We have learned devastating lessons from the impacts of offshore oil development off California, in the Gulf, and elsewhere. We know that the foundation of thriving coastal communities and their economies is a healthy, vibrant ocean. We hope Californians can act together, once again, to ensure a future free of the threat of offshore drilling."

Rep. Panetta continues to advocate in Congress to protect the Central Coast from offshore drilling. Following the leak of the Administration's draft proposal last week, he joined several of his colleagues in calling on the Administration to halt their plans to drill along the California coastline. Rep. Panetta also continues to carefully monitor Administration involvement in oil drilling off of California's coast. In 2019 after the Trump Administration's first attempt to open up oil drilling on the Central Coast, he introduced the Central Coast of California Conservation Act to prevent new leasing for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas in the Central California Planning Area, spanning the entire coastline of California's 19th Congressional District. He also led his colleagues in a multi-state effort to ban offshore drilling along thousands of miles of U.S. coastline, citing the negative impacts of oil-related disasters and accidents on climate change and natural ecosystems.

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