What: Santa Barbara People’s Hearing. A fun event that will make your activism easy.
Where: CEC Environmental Hub, 1219 State St., Santa Barbara
When: Friday, January 16, 4:30 to 6:30 PM
Show your support for protecting California from new offshore oil and gas development! The People’s Hearing will include an educational presentation; comments from community leaders, groups, and businesses; and opportunities for public engagement in the federal 5-year lease plan comment period hosted by the U.S. Department of Interior.
On January 6 in Sacramento, at a bi-partisan press conference, in response to this federal proposal, state leaders registered their strong opposition. Several speakers pointed out that Santa Barbara was the prime target for new drilling. The aim of the press conference was to encourage Californians to speak out loudly against oil and gas drilling on our coast.
There are People’s Hearings throughout the state (Monterey, Orange County, Eureka, etc.) in response to the Department of Interior’s proposal for new offshore oil and gas leasing off California in the next federal offshore drilling plan. The threats to our community and state from offshore oil and gas development, including potential oil spills, are not worth the risk. Community members are advocating for the protection of our coastline, coastal economy, and a clean energy future.
If you cannot attend…
You can still help by submitting a public comment and sharing this information with friends and family in California.
Public comment for the first analysis of the draft proposal is open until January 23, 2026 until 11:59 PM EST (8:59 PM PST). Tell the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that we as Californians are united in opposition to any new drilling off our coast – and in any U.S. waters. Voice your opposition here by clicking the blue “Comment” button!
Personalize your comment as much as possible. Are you a business owner or fisher? Are you a beachgoer? Do you swim, surf, or boat on California’s coasts? Show why an oil-free Pacific is important to you.
~ 350 Steering Committee