[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 20 (Thursday, February 16, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1415-S1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 2294. A bill to permanently prohibit oil and gas leasing off the 
coast of the State of California, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today, with my friend and colleague from 
California, Dianne Feinstein, I introduce the ``California Ocean and 
Coastal Protection Act.'' This bill will permanently protect 
California's coast from the dangers of new offshore drilling.
  In California, there is strong and enduring public support for the 
protection of our oceans and coastlines. Many years ago, my State 
decided that the potential benefits that might be derived from future 
offshore oil and gas development were not worth the risk of destroying 
our priceless coastal treasures. Regular chronic leakage associated 
with normal oil and gas operations, as well as catastrophic spills such 
as the horrific Santa Barbara rig blowout in 1969, irreparably 
contaminate our ocean, beaches, and wetlands.
  The beauty of California's coast is so important that California 
passed legislation permanently prohibiting oil and gas exploration in 
State waters in 1994. This protection is limited, however, to 
California's territorial waters--only three nautical miles out from 
shore.
  The Federal waters off the coast of California, which extend beyond 
State waters to 200 nautical miles out, are increasingly at risk of 
drilling. Despite years of bipartisan support for the moratoria on new 
offshore drilling in Federal waters, recent efforts are threatening our 
coasts. Some recent proposals would immediately lift the moratoria and 
allow for drilling within 20 miles off our coasts. Last year's energy 
bill included provisions to conduct

[[Page S1416]]

an inventory of oil and gas resources on the outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS). This inventory would be performed with seismic guns that could 
have devastating impacts on marine life.
  Because of these threats, I am introducing legislation to provide 
permanent protection for California's coast from future drilling. It 
would also prohibit the harmful inventory of OCS resources from being 
conducted off California's coast.
  The people of California agree that we must do everything we can to 
protect our coasts. This bill will finally provide the permanent 
protection against future drilling that Californians have demanded for 
a generation.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the 
California Ocean and Coastal Protection Act, introduced by Senator 
Boxer and myself, to permanently protect California's coast from oil 
and gas drilling.
  We simply cannot gamble away California's majestic coastline. An oil 
spill would scar our coastline, costing billions and destroying 
ecosystems. We cannot allow this to happen. The time has come to 
permanently protect this treasure.
  California is virtually unified in its opposition to lifting the 
moratoria on drilling the Outer Continental Shelf.
  Governor Schwarzenegger has publicly opposed offshore oil drilling 
and has called for the Federal Government to buy back the remaining 36 
undeveloped Federal offshore oil and gas leases on the Outer 
Continental Shelf off the coast of central California.
  The Governor has said that he ``oppose(s) any efforts to weaken the 
federal moratorium for oil and gas leasing off the coast of California 
and I support efforts to make the moratoria and the Presidential 
deferrals for California permanent.'' Letter to Congressman Pombo, 11/
3/05.
  That is what the bill we are introducing today would do--permanently 
protect California's coast from oil and gas drilling.
  California's Resources Secretary Mike Chrisman, the secretary of 
California Environmental Protection Agency, Alan Lloyd, and the 
Lieutenant Governor, Cruz Bustamante, have also been on record opposing 
any effort to lift the congressional moratorium on offshore oil and gas 
leasing activities.
  Secretary Chrisman, who is also the chairman of the California Ocean 
Protection Council, has in fact stated ``Any pending federal 
legislation regarding Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) oil and gas leasing 
must retain all protections from the Congressional leasing moratorium 
and should seek to make these protections permanent.'' Letter to 
Congressman Pombo, 9/27/05.
  Californians are all too familiar with the consequences of offshore 
drilling. An oil spill in 1969 off the coast of Santa Barbara killed 
thousands of birds, dolphins, seals, and other animals. We know this 
could happen again.
  A healthy coast is vital to California's economy and our quality of 
life. Ocean-dependent industry is estimated to contribute $17 billion 
to California each year.
  Californians have spoken loud and clear that they do not want 
drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf. This bill will provide the 
coast of California with the permanent protection needed.
                                 ______