Senator Padilla Proposes Permanent Ban on West Coast Offshore Drilling
Washington, D.C., April 10, 2025 — In a Senate floor statement delivered during the 119th Congress, Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the West Coast Ocean Protection Act of 2025, legislation aimed at permanently prohibiting oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Outer Continental Shelf off the coasts of California, Oregon, and Washington.
The proposed bill, S. 1432, would amend the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1978, Citing environmental risks and the legacy of past oil spills, Padilla emphasized the importance of safeguarding coastal ecosystems and communities.
“It has been over 50 years since a major oilspill occurred off the coast of Santa Barbara, which inspired the first Earth Day and the modern environmental movement,” Senator Padilla stated. He noted that despite this history, subsequent oil spills have continued to affect California’s coast, leading to environmental degradation, wildlife harm, and economic disruptions due to beach closures.
Framing the bill as part of a broader transition to cleaner energy sources, Padilla remarked that fossil fuels contribute to climate challenges such as wildfires, drought, and global warming. He added that these impacts also include harm to local communities and significant economic costs.
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