Indigenous, environmental justice, coastal and ocean protection organizations demand that latest ecological disaster off California’s coast should be the last

Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris led a briefing this morning that included the largest congregation yet of leading indigenous, environmental justice, coastal and ocean protection organizations who are calling for an end to offshore drilling in federal waters on the California coast.   On October 1, 2021, a broken pipeline operated by Beta Operating Co., a subsidiary of Amplify Energy, began to leak – spewing more than 144,000 gallons of post-productive crude oil into the Pacific Ocean. Oil from that spill is wreaking havoc not only in the marine environment but along the coast — prompting a massive effort now underway to mitigate damage to beaches, wetlands, and other sensitive habitats. This latest ecological disaster off California’s coast should be the last.

Speakers at this morning’s briefing included leaders with: Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, Azul, Audubon California, Blue Latitudes Foundation, Bolsa Chica Land Trust, CalPIRG Students at UC Irvine, Crystal Cove Conservancy, Environment California, Get Inspired, Heal the Bay, Indivisible OC 48, Monterey Bay Aquarium, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Orange County Coastkeeper, Project O, Surfrider Foundation, and Sustainable Ocean Alliance. 

Elected leaders also joined the call to action, including Assemblymember Richard Bloom, Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 3 on Climate Crisis, Resources, Energy, and Transportation; Assemblywoman Luz Rivas, Chair of the Assembly Natural Resources Committee; State Senator Dave Min, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen.