Local concerns mount over federal offshore oil and gas expansion plan

By Melissa Sparks-Kranz, legislative advocate (environmental quality)

Local leaders, marine and environmental organizations, and the state are pushing back on a plan from the federal government to restart oil production along California's coast.

The U.S. Department of the Interior's draft plan includes potential lease sales in federal waters off the coast. If finalized, the proposal could reopen sections of California's coastline to new offshore oil and gas leasing for the first time in four decades.

Cal Cities' policy opposes the expansion of offshore oil and gas production along the California coast.

How would this impact cities?

Coastal cities and counties have authority over onshore land use, infrastructure siting, and permitting, which means they play a key role in shaping offshore drilling plans. California controls the 3 miles nearest the shore. The proposed platforms would be 5 to 9 miles offshore.

Of specific concern to coastal cities, the draft proposal could enable development of offshore oil and gas operations that require onshore support facilities, including pipelines, processing plants, ports, storage facilities, and transportation infrastructure. This can increase risks to coastal ecosystems, marine sanctuaries, tourism economies, fisheries, and nearby communities.

The plan would restart a pipeline that burst in 2015, spilling oil from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles.

What can cities do?

A grassroots organization, Save Our Shores, is helping cities and counties accelerate efforts to modernize and expand a wall of local zoning protections that restrict or require voter approval for onshore infrastructure tied to offshore drilling. This strategy, first developed in the 1980s, helped coastal communities stop the onshore facilities that offshore oil operations require. Strengthening these ordinances is an effective way to block new drilling proposals.

In early January, the California Natural Resources Agency held a discussion to share broad awareness of the concerns with the federal plan. The recording is available on their website. The state also sued the federal government last Friday over the proposal.

State lawmakers are also trying to oppose the efforts through AB 1536 (Addis). Cal Cities will engage on this bill and other legislative efforts that come forward.

Cal Cities encourages cities and counties to work together to adopt or update local ordinances or zoning protections related to onshore infrastructure and permitting. If your city has or is updating its onshore facilities ordinances, please contact your regional public affairs manager.