Rep. Panetta, Local Leaders Stand United at Monterey Bay Aquarium Against Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling on the Central Coast

Monterey, CA - United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) convened local officials, environmental advocates, and business leaders at the Monterey Bay Aquarium to reaffirm their united opposition to the Administration's proposal to expand offshore oil and gas leasing. Rep. Panetta and local leaders highlighted the potential threats that offshore drilling poses to the marine environment, coastal economy, and communities on California's Central Coast.

The Administration's current Draft Proposed Program includes 34 potential lease sales nationwide, including two in the Central California Planning Area in 2027 and 2029. Rep. Panetta encouraged Central Coast residents and stakeholders to remain engaged when the Administration releases the next version of the proposal, which will be subject to a required 90-day public comment period.

"When it comes to protecting our coastline from offshore oil and gas drilling, we must stand united in the face of the chaos or craziness coming out of this Administration," said Rep. Panetta. "We stand here as stewards of our ocean as we stand for an economy and a community built on our beauty and our bounty. When the Administration releases its updated plan for public comment, we must make our voices heard, stay united, and stand ready to go toe-to-toe for our coastline and our way of life in California's 19th Congressional District."

The waters off the Central Coast support one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems in the world, as well as vibrant hospitality, tourism, recreation, fishing, and other coastal industries. Local officials, environmental advocates, and business leaders emphasized that the region's economy and identity depend on a healthy coastline and that expanded offshore drilling would put both at risk.

"California is a leader in the protection of the ocean, this community has worked tirelessly to make sure we're keeping the coastline safe so that kids growing up here know they can live in an environment with whales and dolphins and sea otters. That doesn't happen by chance, now is an important time to come together for the health of the beautiful Monterey Bay, our ocean and its amazing marine life, and our thriving coastal communities," said Dr. Jenny Gray, Chief Executive Officer, Monterey Bay Aquarium.

"Drilling for oil and gas off the Central Coast is reckless, unnecessary, and out of step with our community's values. We should be investing in the future of our coastline-not putting the Monterey Bay, our economy, and our way of life at risk. From repairing Wharf 2 to preparing for sea level rise, we have real infrastructure challenges that demand our attention and investment. I'm proud that our community is standing together to protect the Monterey Bay for generations to come," said Tyller Williamson, Mayor, City of Monterey.

"The Central Coast has a long history of standing up to offshore oil drilling, and that fight continues today. Community members, environmental organizations, businesses, and elected leaders are once again coming together to protect the coast from new drilling threats," said Katie Thompson, Executive Director, Save Our Shores.

Rep. Panetta has worked throughout the federal planning process to organize and amplify the Central Coast's opposition to offshore drilling. Following the leak of the Administration's draft proposal in October 2025, he joined several of his colleagues in calling on the Administration to halt its plans to drill along the California coastline. In February 2026, he convened local community and environmental leaders to discuss ways to oppose the proposal and protect the Central Coast. Rep. Panetta also mobilized constituents throughout the 19th Congressional District and hosted a telephone town hall during the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) first public comment period to help residents submit comments opposing the Administration's leasing plan.

Rep. Panetta also continues to carefully monitor the Administration's involvement in oil drilling off 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 multistate 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.

For photos from today's press conference, click here.

To watch Rep. Panetta's remarks, click here.

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