Committee adopts resolution opposing proposed federal offshore leasing plan

Sen. Laird presented SJR 12, a bipartisan resolution opposing the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's proposed offshore oil and gas leasing program and asking that California be removed from the plan. He said the draft program would authorize dozens of lease sales across more than a billion acres of federal waters, including potential new lease sites off California, and argued that such expansion would threaten marine ecosystems and coastal economies.

Dan Hafeli (introduced by Sen. Laird), Ashley Blake O'Drager of Oceana, Jennifer Fearing of Surfrider Foundation and other environmental advocates described historical oil‑spill impacts, local ordinances that preserve municipal zoning controls and broad public opposition during the federal comment period. "The California coastline is probably the most majestic in the world," one witness said, citing the 1969 Santa Barbara spill as a turning point for coastal protection.

Witnesses also argued the federal process lacked sufficient public hearings and environmental review. Several local governments and dozens of environmental groups were recorded in support. No organized opposition witnesses appeared in the hearing. The committee adopted the resolution (recorded roll calls in committee were favorable); the resolution expresses the legislature's strong opposition to including California in the proposed federal program.