President Biden enacts Congressman Carbajal’s push to ban local offshore drilling
Rep. Salud Carbajal represents California’s 24th Congressional District, encompassing Santa Barbara County and portions of San Luis Obispo County and Ventura County.
Carbajal was among 12 members of Congress who urged Biden to take this action before the end of his term
– President Joe Biden recently signed an executive order banning new offshore drilling along the entire California coast, including federal waters between the newly designated Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The action follows a years-long effort led by Congressman Salud Carbajal to secure these protections.
The executive order protects over 625 million acres of federal waters from future oil and gas exploration. Congressman Carbajal, representing California’s 24th Congressional District, has been advocating for these protections since introducing the California Clean Coast Act in 2017, his first piece of legislation in Congress.
“The Central Coast knows all too well the damage and devastation that can come from an oil spill. That’s why I made it my mission from my first bill in Congress to permanently ban offshore drilling off our coast. And with President Biden’s help today, this goal is now reality,” said Rep. Carbajal.
“I deeply appreciate all the Central Coast residents and stakeholders who have spoken up during these past four years to encourage the President to follow through on this ban, which builds on his already impressive climate legacy. Together, we have passed the largest climate actions in U.S. history, shielded communities and ecosystems across our nation, and even created lasting testaments to our environment like the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary.”
In November, Carbajal was among 12 members of Congress who urged Biden to take this action before the end of his term.
The protected area now spans the entire California coast, marking a significant step in Carbajal’s mission to prevent future offshore drilling. The protections also extend to areas not initially covered by the first phase of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary designation, addressing a key concern Carbajal raised in his discussions with the White House.
The California Clean Coast Act, introduced on the anniversary of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, was inspired by the environmental disaster that spilled 100,000 barrels of crude oil into Central Coast waters.
Rep. Salud Carbajal represents California’s 24th Congressional District, which includes Santa Barbara County and parts of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties.
Just another blow to the county’s economy. This guy has spent his political career voting along Party lines and will make his congressional tenure appeasing the liberals in Santa Barbara County.
Just another blow to the county’s economy. This guy has spent his political career voting along Party lines and will make his congressional tenure appeasing the liberals in Santa Barbara County.