Can California stop Trump from drilling off its coast? A new law tries

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Set us as preferred Gov.Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed legislation to strengthen California’s protections against offshore drilling amid escalating efforts by the Trump administration to open up the coast to new oil and gas operations.

The new state law, Assembly Bill 1448 from Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara), will make it illegal for oil producers to use oil rigs, pipelines and other equipment currently in state waters to support any new federal offshore oil leases.It also strengthens state oversight of existing leases by requiring additional scrutiny and waiting periods for renewals, extensions or changes.

The law comes after the Trump administration proposed opening California’s entire coast to offshore oil and gas drilling for the first time in more than four decades — an action the U.S.Interior Department said will “unleash American offshore energy.” Climate & Environment The plan would mark the first new oil and gas leases in federal waters of the Pacific Ocean in more than four decades.The state has about two dozen aging oil platforms off its coast, but has not seen new oil leases in federal water since 1984, largely due to public opposition following a disastrous oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969.“California has made it clear that our coast is not open for expanded offshore drilling,” Asm.

Hart said in a statement.“As the Trump Administration continues its reckless push to expand fossil fuel production in federal waters, AB 1448 ensures that existing infrastructure in state waters cannot be used to facilitate those efforts.”The White House has also challenged California’s control over its coast, ordering a review of the California Coastal Commission that could strip its authority over federal coastal projects.

The administration has also intervened on behalf of Sa...