Recently leaked federal documents reveal that the Trump Administration is planning to reopen offshore oil drilling off the coast of California and several other states as soon as 2027. This reckless proposal flies in the face of overwhelming, bipartisan opposition to new leases. Offshore drilling is devastating to marine ecosystems, dangerous to coastal economies, and costly for taxpayers.
California knows this all too well. From the tragic Huntington Beach spill in 2021 to the Platform Holly bankruptcy fiasco, our communities are still grappling with the fallout from irresponsible oil companies and decades of mismanagement along our coast. Instead of addressing the aging infrastructure and looming uncertainty from existing platforms, the Trump Administration is doubling down. This isn’t progress; it’s a step backward toward an industry that has repeatedly failed our coastlines and communities.
Even more alarming, the leaked documents suggest plans to disregard key environmental protections such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act and limit opportunities for public input.
Our community deserves transparency and protection when it comes to the coast we all live, work, and play in.
The official draft of this offshore drilling plan is expected later this week, launching a 45-day public comment period with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). To ensure our community’s voice is heard, Coastkeeper will host a town hall meeting in late November or early December to explain the proposal, its impacts, and how you can make an effective public comment.
Together, we can make sure this dangerous plan doesn’t go unchallenged. Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming town hall.
