Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Dave Min’s Bill to Prevent Oil Drilling in California Passes Legislative Hurdle, Despite Opposition.
California is known for its leadership in climate action and renewable energy. The state has been a model for other regions, implementing policies and laws aimed at achieving a more sustainable future. The legislation proposed by Senator Dave Min to ban offshore oil drilling in California’s waters is another significant step toward a cleaner environment and reducing opposition
Senator Min’s initiative reflects California’s commitment to promoting the transition to a low-carbon economy and meeting the commitments of the Paris Agreement. California continues to lead the way in the fight against climate change, setting an example for other states and countries to follow. The ban on offshore oil drilling is an important measure to protect the environment and ensure a more sustainable future for generations to come.
California Taking Action Against Oil and Gas Leasing
In late December 2022, various environmental organizations, including Oceana, asserted their opposition to new leasing sales, highlighting Biden’s promise during his presidential campaign to end new leases for offshore drilling, while the International Energy Agency emphasized that nations need to stop developing new oil and gas fields if they wish to keep global warming within safe limits.
-
Offshore industrial demand in Macaé skyrockets with the recovery of oil and gas and could grow by up to 396% by 2026 in the Campos Basin.
-
Offshore industrial demand in Macaé surges with the recovery of oil and gas and could grow by up to 396% by 2026 in the Campos Basin.
-
Brazilian giant expands borders in the Southeast: Petrobras confirms new oil discovery in ultra-deep waters in the pre-salt of the Campos Basin.
-
Alert in the global energy market: Severe tropical cyclone hits the coast and disrupts gas production at major plants in Australia, threatening global supply.
In an effort to fulfill its climate commitments, the Biden administration developed a final program for 2024-2029, with the fewest offshore oil and gas leasing sales in American history. With only three ongoing leasing sales, the new plan aims to gradually reduce oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico and ensure the rapid growth of offshore wind energy.
California Takes Action
California is taking action to address this issue with Senate Bill (SB) 559 from Senator Dave Min, which requires the California State Lands Commission to take immediate action to rescind remaining leases for offshore oil drilling in California’s waters. The bill was approved in its first legislative committee last week, overcoming its first legislative hurdle with a vote of 7 to 3 in the Senate State Natural Resources and Water Committee, chaired by Senator Min.
Senator Min stated: ‘As the 2021 Orange County oil spill clearly illustrated (as did the Refugio Beach oil spill in 2015), offshore drilling poses a clear and immediate threat to our beautiful beaches and our vibrant coastal economy of $44 billion a year.
‘These offshore oil platforms, which were built between the 1960s and 1980s, have already exceeded their useful life, and the pioneering oil companies now operating these platforms have no incentives to invest significantly in their safety and integrity. We simply cannot afford to have more oil spills, and SB 559 provides an immediate path to shutting down these offshore oil platforms.’
In 2022, Senator Min introduced the first version of this bill, which was submitted to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Last year, he reintroduced the bill and kept it alive while the Lands Commission worked on its study of the potential costs of shutting down and dismantling these platforms.
Study on Oil and Gas Leasing
With an update on this study now in hand, the bill would require the State Lands Commission to finalize negotiations for the voluntary relinquishment of oil and gas leases. If an agreement is not reached by December 31, 2026, the bill requires the commission to rescind the leases and pay just compensation, if warranted.
Brady Bradshaw, ocean advocate at the Center for Biological Diversity, commented: ‘This bill is critical to prevent more devastating spills from the crumbling and corroded infrastructure of the oil industry.</em
‘Offshore drilling is a public nuisance that has already caused terrible damage to our beautiful coast, wildlife, and vital coastal economy. We must ensure that companies promptly pay to clean up their own pollution, rather than dumping their toxic waste on Californians.’
Legal Ramifications
California has three remaining oil platforms operating off the coast of Orange County – Eva, Emmy, and Ester – which were built between 1963 and 1985. The trio has lasted decades beyond their intended lifespan, according to Senator Min.
The Golden State is laying the groundwork to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and 100% clean electricity by 2045 to meet its climate goals. Governor Newsom has supported a lawsuit that was filed in San Francisco Superior Court last year against ExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP, and the American Petroleum Institute (API).
This legal challenge was launched against these six actors for their alleged role in downplaying and giving little weight to the potential threats that fossil fuel development and extraction pose to the climate and environment.
Source: © OFF Shore Energy
Seja o primeiro a reagir!