February 8, 2002
Contact: Linda Krop, EDC 805-963-1622; Megan Jennings, CALPIRG 805-448-1176

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS RESPOND TO THREAT OF MORE OIL DRILLING
Federal Appeal Prompts Environmental Organizations to Submit Briefs

SANTA BARBARA, CA.- On Friday, February 8th, the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), on behalf of the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) and other local and statewide groups, filed an appeal brief regarding 36 existing federal offshore oil leases off California's coastline. The brief comes in response to the federal government's appeal of a recent ruling that granted California the right to review federal offshore leases for consistency with California's Coastal Management Program.

"We prevailed last year when California was granted the right to review the leases for potential impacts to our coastline, " said Linda Krop, Chief Counsel for the EDC. "The federal government cannot force oil development on California without our say, and despite their appeal, we are confident we will win again."

The 36 leases offshore leases continue to be the focus of a heated debate between the state of California, the federal government, oil companies, and ten different environmental organizations, including EDC and CALPIRG. In June of 2001, in a victory for environmental groups, a federal district court judge ruled that the federal government must cancel its extension of 36 undeveloped oil leases off the coast of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, pending state review. The decision effectively put a halt to future oil exploration plans in the Santa Barbara Channel.

The federal government appealed that decision, however, claiming that because the leases are found in federal waters, California has no right to review them for potential impacts to the state of California, which include air and water pollution, impacts from oil spills, impacts to sensitive species, etc.

"The people of California have spoken. The courts have spoken," said Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson. "The federal government needs to honor the concerns of Californians, and the Federal Court ruling, to protect the coast from new offshore oil drilling."

Pedro Nava of the California Coastal Commission echoed Assemblywoman Jackson's remarks: "Californians have stated again and again, 'No new oil off our coast.' The federal government's appeal will now be met not only with the law on our side, but with the people of the state on our side as well."

Opposition to oil development continues to rank high among Californian's environmental concerns. This is highlighted by Senator Barbara Boxer's recent statements asking the government to drop their appeal. Congresswoman Lois Capps will be submitting a Congressional amicus brief, or 'Friends of the Court,' statement next week, also opposing the appeal. All California Democratic representatives have signed the statement. Lastly, CALPIRG has collected over 10,000 letters and postcards from California citizens supporting the state's right to review the leases.

"Californians uniformly want, and deserve, the right to protect our coast from the devastation of oil drilling," said Megan Jennings, campaign coordinator for CALPIRG. "Across party lines, we know what is best for the health of our coastal communities."

The EDC represents CALPIRG, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Sea Otter, California CoastKeeper, Santa Barbara ChannelKeeper, Santa Monica BayKeeper, Get Oil Out and Citizens Planning Association in the current lawsuit. Natural Resources Defense Council, on behalf of themselves and League for Coastal Protection, are also involved in the suit, as are the Counties of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

The Environmental Defense Center is a non-profit, public interest environmental law firm serving California's Central Coast. Since 1977, EDC has provided public education, organizing, advocacy, and legal services to community groups dedicated to environmental quality and health.

CALPIRG is a statewide non-profit organization combining research, grassroots organizing, and advocacy to protect the environment, consumers, and promote a responsive government.