Carbajal to hold event in San Luis Obispo opposing offshore drilling
Congressman Salud Carbajal
The event will highlight the open comment period on the decision where Central Coast residents can voice their concerns and opinions on the decision.
Also participating are Mayor Heidi Harmon, San Luis Obispo, Mayor Jamie Irons, Morro Bay, and Chairwoman P.J. Webb, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council.
The event will take place at the County Courthouse Plaza, located at 1050 Monterey St., San Luis Obispo, at 12 p.m.
Secretary Zinke is currently examining the United States offshore oil and gas leasing program pursuant to the terms of an executive order signed by President Trump on April 28, 2017. The Executive Order directed DOI to review and potentially re-start the oil and gas lease sale planning process.
The 2017-2022 leasing program does not currently include the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, protecting them from oil and gas leasing and exploration during that period. The Trump Administration’s Executive Order could result in drilling rigs off our coasts and beaches as early as 2019, according to Carbajal.
Last month, Carbajal urged the Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to exempt the Outer Continental Shelf off the California Coast from new oil and gas development, adhering to the current 2017-2022 leasing program. In the letter to Secretary Zinke, the Congressman cited concerns of the impacts to California’s coastal counties’ $1.9 trillion tourism economy, fishing industry, and other local businesses that depend on a healthy coastline.
Carbajal represents hundreds of miles of California’s coastline, stretching from Ventura up past Cambria to Ragged Point.
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