January 13, 2026 — Community leaders and environmental groups in California are pushing back against a federal proposal that could bring new offshore oil and gas drilling to the California coast, raising concerns about the impact on local economies and marine life and the risk of future spills.
The Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has released a proposal for six potential offshore lease sales over the next five years, including federal waters off the Central Coast.
Ashley Blacow-Draeger said, “When we drill, we spill. We know that oil spills contaminate fisheries, they close beaches, they kill wildlife, and they impact people who are reliant on healthy oceans.”
Local leaders have highlighted the real risks associated with offshore drilling, referencing resolutions passed by cities across Monterey and Santa Cruz counties opposing such activities, and pointing to the long-term damages from the Santa Barbara oil spill.