[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6838]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                 RECOGNIZING THE CITY OF SANTA BARBARA

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing the tremendous accomplishments of the city of Santa 
Barbara, a community that has pioneered efforts in sustainability and 
environmental preservation for many years.
  For over four decades, the city of Santa Barbara has been a leader in 
protecting and enhancing the local environment. In 1969, a devastating 
oil spill released an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 barrels of oil into 
the Santa Barbara Channel, resulting in public outcry over the 
significant damage to the ocean waters and wildlife. Local residents 
and civic leaders immediately began advocating for environmental 
reforms, and a few months later, Congress passed the National 
Environmental Policy Act, one of the first laws to establish a national 
framework for protecting our environment. Soon after, the California 
Coastal Commission was created in 1972 as an independent State agency 
committed to preserving California's beautiful coastline.
  As the Santa Barbara community grew and the effects of global climate 
change became more apparent, local leaders developed innovative 
initiatives to reduce waste, decrease emissions, and conserve natural 
resources. Specifically, the city imposed stormwater requirements for 
development projects to prevent runoff and implemented a shared-use 
vehicle program to reduce fuel costs and the number of vehicles in the 
city's fleet. These efforts helped cut water consumption by 15 to 20 
percent and reduce emissions by 10 percent, respectively. Next year, 
Santa Barbara will begin using a state-of-the-art water desalination 
facility that will reduce electrical demand and environmental impacts 
while supplying roughly 30 percent of the city's water.
  I want to congratulate the city of Santa Barbara for its dedicated 
efforts to preserve our precious natural resources. Santa Barbara's 
leadership will continue to make a profound difference for generations 
to come.

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