Congressman Panetta Introduces Legislation Prohibiting New Oil Drilling on the Central Coast of California

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-20) introduced the California Central Coast Conservation Act, establishing a moratorium on all new oil and gas leasing on federal public land on the central coast of California.

The legislation is in direct response to the Administration's recent decision to allow for new oil and gas leasing and development on over 720,000 acres of public land in Central California, primarily in Fresno, Monterey, and San Benito counties.

The bill prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from implementing the decision until it completes and publishes a supplemental environmental impact statement assessing the impacts of oil and gas drilling on the Central Coast. Specifically, the review must consider potential impacts on air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, groundwater, surface water, seismicity, wildlife and plant species, low-income communities, communities of color, and indigenous communities. If the assessment identifies adverse environmental impacts, the Administration's decision cannot proceed.

Environmental groups – including the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity – are also challenging the Administration's decision in federal district court.

Original cosponsors of the California Central Coast Conservation Act include Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), Congressman Jared Huffman (CA-02), Congressman Mike Levin (CA-49), Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (CA-32), Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), Congressman Gil Cisneros (CA-39), Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (CA-18), Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17), Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44), Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51), Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), and Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52).

"As a legislator, I make decisions based on evidence. I expect federal agencies to do the same. Until the BLM completes a detailed analysis of the harmful impacts new oil and gas drilling will have on our pristine environment, the agency should not proceed," said Congressman Panetta. "The Administration's decision threatens not just the environment, but also the economy and our communities on the Central Coast. I will continue to fight against resource exploitation on our public lands and promote investments in green, sustainable energy solutions."

"We are talking about millions of acres of public lands, not a disposable commodity for sale to the highest oil and gas industry bidder," said Congressman Lowenthal. "The public have been clear that they want to protect underground water sources, mitigate climate change, and safeguard our public resources for future generations. Instead, the Trump Administration has decided to plant a big 'For Sale' sign on these lands. The California Central Coast Conservation Act is critical to protecting these lands and I applaud Congressman Panetta's leadership in standing up for California's residents and our environment."

The legislation is endorsed by the Sierra Club and the Center for Biological Diversity.

"Expanding extraction of dirty fossil fuels on our public lands threatens the health and safety of our communities and the future of our climate," said Sierra Club Lands Protection Program Director Athan Manuel. "We applaud Representatives Panetta and Lowenthal for their leadership in protecting California's lands, wildlife, and communities from the Trump administration's dangerous fracking expansion plans."

"Drilling has no place on the California coast, and this legislation recognizes that the Trump administration is determined to rubber-stamp a dangerous expansion of oil extraction, no matter the cost to our air, water and health," said Clare Lakewood, Climate Legal Director at the Center for Biological Diversity. "We're grateful that Rep. Panetta is pushing back on the Trump administration's pro-polluter agenda."