Letter to the Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management
California Legislative Central Coast Caucus Submits Comment Letter Opposing Offshore Oil Leasing and
Drilling Expansion
March 27, 2026
Matthew Giacona
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
1849 C Street
NW Washington D.C., 20240
Submitted via: http://www.federalregister.gov
Dear Secretary Giacona,
We, the co-chairs of the California Legislative Central Coast Caucus (CLCCC), strongly oppose the continued federal pursuit of offshore drilling expansion. We will not stand by while the Trump administration priorities oil profits over our communities, coastal economy, and environmental health.
The CLCCC includes California state legislative representatives from communities across the Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Collectively, we represent close to 400 miles of coastline, more than two million Californians, and more than $194 billion for the nation's gross domestic product (GDP).
The waters off California's coast are of the highest economic and ecological value. Our coastal economy contributes over $44 billion to California's GDP, with tourism and fishing being major contributors. Expanding offshore drilling in this region will not only affect the health and wellness of our coastal residents, but it will also be devastating for our economy, which relies on the pristine quality of our natural environment.
Recently, the Trump administration illegally directed the Sable Offshore Corporation to restart the damaged Refugio pipeline in Santa Barbara County and open our shores to dangerous drilling. This is the very same pipeline that burst in 2015, spilling over 140,000 gallons of crude oil and damaging 150 miles of coastline and 2,200 acres of ocean habitat. Local businesses and residents are still recovering from the economic impact of this spill. With the pipeline reopened without the necessary permits and safeguards, this community now faces the threat of another spill.
Moving forward with this process will open the door to increased offshore oil leasing and drilling, directly threatening the health of California's coastal environment and economy.
No…
We strongly urge the administration to stop its expansion of drilling off California's coast.
Increased drilling would only bring more pollution to our region and take away from the economic avenues and natural beauty our coast provides.
Sincerely,
DAWN ADDIS
Co-Chair, 30th Assembly District
GREGG HART
Co-Chair, 37th Assembly District
JOHN LAIRD
Vice Chair, 17th Senate District
Four hundred miles of coastline, and the livelihoods of millions of Californians are at stake. Last week, the CA Legislative Central Coast Caucus submitted a letter opposing the expansion of offshore oil drilling. Our communities have seen the damage…(1/2)