AB 1448 (Hart), otherwise known as The California Coastal Protection Act, aims to defend California’s beautiful coast, marine life, and economy against the dangers of offshore oil drilling. The bill is timely given the Trump Administration’s pledge to ‘drill, baby drill,’ seeking to expand offshore drilling in federal waters off California, which will harm coastal communities and wildlife.
Good news and time to take action: AB 1448 passed through the California Senate and the California Assembly last week! We need your help to convince Governor Newsom to sign AB 1448 into law.
Contact the Governor's office here: https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/
Scroll down a little bit to "What is your request or comment about?" AB 1448 comes up as an option when you select “Active Bill” in the drop-down menu. Here is some suggested language that you are encouraged to customize:
Please sign AB 1448 to protect our coast from oil spills from offshore oil drilling. California knows all too well the damage from offshore drilling and oil spills — the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, the 2015 Plains All American pipeline spill, and the 2021 Amplify spill caused extensive environmental damage and killed thousands of marine mammals, seabirds, and fish. Onshore, oil processing facilities and refineries pollute vulnerable neighborhoods.
AB 1448 is designed to fill gaps in current law and provide comprehensive protection against the dangers of offshore drilling. Thank you!
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For more details, check out this Insta reel from last week when AB 1448 was waiting for final approval from the CA Assembly:
As Surfrider's Central California Regional Manager, Bill helps chapters tackle pollution issues that are affecting the marine environment. Before covering the area between Ventura and Santa Cruz, he worked with the San Diego Chapter for five years.