Legislator Seeks Ban on Offshore Drilling Along Central and Bay Area Coasts

A proposed bill in Congress aims to prohibit new offshore fossil fuel extraction along the coastline stretching from Monterey to Mendocino County, according to U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, who made the announcement earlier this week.

The Central Coast of California Conservation Act aims to prevent new explorations, developments, or production leases for natural gas or oil along the Central Coast and part of the North Coast.

This legislation is one of eight bills submitted to Congress aimed at safeguarding the Pacific and Atlantic oceans from fossil fuel extraction activities.

The proposal is in reaction to President Donald Trump’s attempts to diminish environmental safeguards nationwide, according to Panetta.

One of Trump’s first actions after his inauguration was to sign an executive order repealing former President Joe Biden’s prohibition on offshore drilling along most coastal areas of the country, including the Pacific Ocean.

These waters are brimming with biodiversity, featuring at least 26 types of marine mammals, 94 species of seabirds, four kinds of sea turtles, over 340 varieties of fish, countless numbers of invertebrates, and more than 450 species of marine algae," he stated. "The coastline of California fosters tourism, recreation, farming, fishing, and maritime transport, generating an annual contribution of $44 billion to California's Gross Domestic Product.

Through the proposed legislation, Panetta hopes to protect the ecological biodiversity of the coast while also protecting the economic impact the coastal region has in the state. He believes new offshore drilling will compromise not only the ocean itself, but the businesses and communities that benefit from the waters.

The Central Coast of California Conservation Act has support from myriad ocean-focused organizations and special interest groups, including the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Defenders of Wildlife California, Oceana, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Save Our Shores, the Center for Biological Diversity and the Ocean Conservancy.

“Offshore oil and gas drilling expansion should not threaten the oceans, economy, or lifestyle of coastal communities within California’s 19th Congressional District,” stated Panetta. “It is essential that we act now to uphold the tradition of safeguarding the remarkable beauty and resources provided by our seas for future generations.”

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