- Home
- News Grid
- Local News
- Green Hawk
- Business
- Politics
- School Zone
- Nonprofits
- Missing Pets
- Multimedia
- Arts
- Movies
- Outdoors
- Sports
- News Releases
- Columnists
- Blogs
- Opinions
- Classifieds
- Advertise
- Donate
- Partners
After Tense Discussion, City Council Votes to Send Letter Opposing Offshore Drilling
A tense exchange marked a discussion Tuesday among members of the Santa Barbara City Council about whether to send a letter opposing offshore oil drilling. Ultimately, the discussion led to a 5-1 vote to send the letter of opposition, with Councilman Dale Francisco dissenting. Councilwoman Iya Falcone was absent.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted two weeks ago to send a similar letter.
The letter is part of public comment sought by the Mineral Management Service. It is in the process of updating its leasing program, which it prepares every five years, and the window for comment ends in one week. The program will determine the size, location and timing of oil and gas leasing on the outer continental shelf based on energy needs.
In January, the draft plan for the proposed outer continental shelf oil and gas leasing program for the next five years was released. That same month, the Santa Barbara County supervisors voted 3-2 to approve drilling after a moratorium had been lifted on drilling in federal waters.
With former 3rd District Supervisor Brooks Firestone serving as the swing vote, approval for new leasing made national headlines, all after a deal had been brokered between the Environmental Defense Center and Plains Exploration & Production Co. (PXP), an oil company and backer of a platform off Santa Barbara’s north county coast at Tranquillon Ridge. The EDC’s deal would have required the company to cease production after 14 years, but would allow it to drill in the meantime.
When the issue came before the State Lands Commission, however, it rejected it on a 2-1 vote. Councilman Das Williiams, who supported putting the letter on the council’s agenda, said he favored sending it and “reiterating our past opposition.”
“I think it’s very clear that the majority of our constituents are opposed to new leasing,” he said.
Councilwoman Helene Schneider said she supported sending the letter as a clarification to the Board of Supervisors’ vote earlier in the year.
“It created a lot of confusion,” she said, when national media outlets picked up on the story in January.
Eight members of the public spoke during public comment Tuesday, with five speakers supporting the letter and three opposing.
When one of the speakers said the city had been opposed to the Tranquillon Ridge project and that the city was in financial crisis and should drill, Mayor Marty Blum corrected the speaker after he finished his comments.
“We don’t get any money,” she said, adding that the city, as an entity, didn’t take a stance on the project.
The discussion turned tense when Nathan Alley, an attorney for the Environmental Defense Center, began his comments.
He said the City Charter’s stance on drilling declares it unlawful “to explore for, prospect for or drill for, or to permit or to commence the exploration, prospecting or drilling for oil, gas or other hydrocarbon substances within the corporate limits of the city.”
Francisco asked whether the letter dealt with drilling in federal or state waters, and Alley clarified that the letter dealt with offshore leasing in federal waters, not in state waters, where the drilling would occur for the Tranquillon Ridge project.
Alley said he hopes the deal will go through at some point, and that the EDC had brokered an end to operations at the facility, instead of the platform working into perpetuity.
“Why are we talking about federal waters instead of state?” Francisco asked.
Alley responded that because the issue was time sensitive, with a deadline for public comment looming, the issue needed to be addressed sooner rather than later, and that the EDC’s deal dealt only with state waters as far as Tranquillon Ridge was concerned.
“You’d be pumping more oil in the short term, but you’d be pumping it for much less time,” he said.
Francisco asked whether oil would be pumped for 14 years, and Alley replied that it could be pumped for a shorter amount of time. Francisco persisted, asking “Is that correct?” several times.
“Excuse me,” Mayor Blum called out, taking issue with Francisco’s tone. “That’s not being civil or kind.”
Francisco shot back: “We don’t usually respond to public comment either, and you’ve felt free to do that. I have some questions to ask. May I continue to ask them?”
“Yeah, but if you could do it in a nice, civil way, we would appreciate it,” Blum said.
Francisco also asked Williams about the timing of the letter. “If this was so critically important to bring before council, and we had seven months to comment on a 149-page report, why did you wait until a week before the end of the comment period to bring it to us?” he asked.
Francisco also took issue with council time being used for the topic, and that the letter stated that the city had reviewed the whole document.
“I’m not aware of any review by the city,” he said.
Williams said the timing of the issue was partly because the county had sent a similar letter and asked the city to do the same. The staff has been reviewing the issue for months internally, Williams said, but that the council hasn’t had a regular meeting for the past two weeks, further delaying the item.
“It’s an important matter for us to clarify to the world, which was obviously very confused last year as a result of the reversal by the Board of Supervisors,” Williams said.
He said halting existing operations would be “the ideal situation.”
Blum said she had reviewed the material and was comfortable signing the letter, but Francisco was not.
“The idea that we have somehow reviewed a 149-page document is absurd,” he said, adding that by signing a letter saying the council had read the document was “a misuse of the role of actually considering things before we act.”
“I will not be voting for this misrepresentation of our work,” he said.
— Noozhawk staff writer Lara Cooper can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Comments
Noozhawk's comments are moderated, but by posting here you accept your responsibility to follow our rules as part of Noozhawk's shared online community. Please keep your comments civil and helpful. Don't attack other readers personally, and do not use vulgar, abusive or discriminatory language. Use the "Report Abuse" link if a comment violates these standards or our Terms of Use.
» on 09.15.09 @ 10:59 PM
Apparently Dale Francisco is having trouble keeping up with the work load.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 12:00 AM
It isn’t 1969 anymore you aging hippies that we call Councilmembers!! Good God people are losing homes and jobs and suffering in this economy. You will have clean beaches with dead people lying on them if this insanity keeps up! No not even that, you will have a City of homeless people dead people covered in natural seepage. I can’t wait for the next election. GO DALE!!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 12:05 AM
“It’s an important matter for us to clarify to the world, which was obviously very confused last year as a result of the reversal by the Board of Supervisors,” Williams said.
The world thinks you’re insane Das! They probably think We should be sharing our resources to help our dependence on foreign oil and the economy. But we are selfish Cailfornians who consume way more than we produce. Only the insane citizens that support you care what the world thinks anyway. The other citizens think there is an economy to fix instead of our IMAGE! Are we in high school?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 12:06 AM
“I think it’s very clear that the majority of our constituents are opposed to new leasing,” he said.
WRONG!!!!!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 12:13 AM
“Excuse me,” Mayor Blum called out, taking issue with Francisco’s tone. “That’s not being civil or kind.”
Oh please this is frickin America still isn’t it? Are we suppose to be nicey nice when you lunatics do stupid stuff? You’re not civil if you disagree with a Democrat, if the democrat happens to be non-white you are a racist, but if you use a harsh tone against a Republican that’s just fine! Enough of this B.S.
“We don’t get any money,” she said, adding that the city, as an entity, didn’t take a stance on the project.
YOU LIE! Perhaps not as a citizen of Santa Barbara but as a citizen of the US and California or SB County we sure do get money!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 05:43 AM
Here is my statement to the Santa Barbara Board of Supervisors regarding their vote opposing new OCS leases for offshore oil. The City Council was simply a “me too” vote. Note that when the 1969’ers say “We have to protect the air and water quality of the Santa Barbara channel” and “we can’t risk another spill”, you need to understand that bt far the largest air and water pollution in the channel are the natural oil and gas seeps, which kill far more birds that offshore oil production spills ever have. The seeps are reduced by offshore production. So what exactly are the 1969’ers protecting us from? 850 barrels spilled in 40 years off the coast from oil extraction versus 2 million barrels from seeps. The anti-oil rhetoric and fear-card is a bit worn-out at this point. Oh- and the $350-$400 million per year to SB County from new offshore production? Last time I checked, all Santa Barbara City residents were County residents too, so I don’t understand the Mayor’s statement that “we” don’t (and wouldn’t) get any money from offshore oil.
Statement to the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors Hearing
September 1, 2009
I’m Bruce Allen, Co-founder of SOS California and author of the recent book, Reaching the Solar Tipping Point. SOS asks that the Board not vote to oppose all 5 year leasing plans off our coast. We are however gratified that the Board will include in comments to the DOI our requested recognition of the impact of offshore natural oil seepage on our environment and the request for an assessment that offshore oil and gas production can further reduce this pollution source.
I would like to point out several flawed premises in your letter opposing new OCS production- First, the claim that SB offshore oil and gas production has been a net detriment to the coastal environment. This is clearly not true- Santa Barbara beaches were far more heavily oiled before major offshore oil production than today and SOS has been documenting eyewitness accounts of residents that our beaches have far less oil on them now than in the 1950’s. We now know this is due to offshore extraction.
The second flaw is the suggestion that natural oil seepage is not pollution, which some people have incorrecttly suggested. In fact oil and gas seepage is pollution as defined by the EPA, the USGS, CARB, and CA Fish and Game requires seepage that washes up on CA beaches be disposed of only at hazardous waste facilities. Far more wildlife has been killed from our offshore seeps in the last 40 years than all CA offshore oil production combined- many seep-oiled dead birds are collected every month from Santa Barbara to Morro Bay.
At least 19,000 birds have died from offshore oil seeps since 1970, the total from offshore production related spills is less than 1500. The published estimate from the 1969 spill is 3800. I welcome questions from Board Members if you dispute that far more birds have died from offshore oil seeps than from all CA offshore production spills combined.
I also have here a 2003 study summary that shows most of the known offshore reserves in the Santa Maria basin OCS are in fact overlaid by active seeps- seeps that would be reduced through extraction, according to independent geologists including UCSB Emeritus Geology Professor James Boles. In summary, although you will vote today to oppose new offshore extraction, SOS California would like to thank the Board for including in your letter to the Department of Interior SOS California’s repeated request for an assessment of the potential for further natural oil seepage pollution reductions through expanded offshore extraction.
For the record, here is my letter to the House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Rahall from my February Congressional hearing testimony.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 05:56 AM
Marty Blum is the last person to lecture anyone about being civil or kind. Far too many of us have been subjected to her scornful comments, eye rolls and sighs at the dais, and watched her play favorites with speakers’ time—Mickey Flacks for one is allowed to go on and on—that anyone else being in charge will be an improvement.
And wasn’t Das promoting drilling at Tranquillion Ridge just last summer, until the political deal feel apart? How is that fossil fuel drilling better than this fossil fuel drilling?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 06:32 AM
To Bruce Allen. As cofounder of SOS, how do you and your organization get compensated? Are you receiving any funds from oil companies or related businesses involved in offshore oil production? Please fully disclose your financial sources so we will have a better idea of whether you are objective or not.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 07:26 AM
Recent polls indicate over 60% of the population supports offshore drilling. The “majority” that Das mentions is the environmentalist group that supports him.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 07:36 AM
There is no surprise that the majority of the Council and the staff are misrepresenting the facts. They do this routinely with planniong, zoning and project approvals all the time, particualrly in matters of traffic, parking and circulation issues. They have lost all credibility!
Statistics are manipulated and misrepresented and false studies produced at the taxpayers expense with the knowledge that the oridinary citizens do not have the money to expend from their personal funds to commission true and accurate information.
This latest episode is but another indication of why these agenda driven politicos need to be voted out of office and in the case of Williams, certainly not elevated to higher office. The manipulations, smoke and mirror legislation and the pay to play politics rampant in Sacramento do not need another representative of the special interests like Das Williams.
Good for Dale Francisco to point out these games and refuse to participate in them!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 08:09 AM
Will somebody tell me when this town is going to pull its head out of the sand? Yes this was a “me too” vote and only one councilman had the grit to stand up to this mass hysteria, now in its fortieth year. You anti-oil hypocrites will apparently not learn until you are literally starving to death. You only exist on this planet because of that oil you love to hate. The time is coming when the rest of us are no longer going to tolerate this idiotic self destructive behavior.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 08:12 AM
If we want to make our voices heard for the continued domestic drilling, please go to the following websies and get heard.
http://www.energytomorrow.org
yourenergyopinion.com
americansolutions.com
As an aging hippie, who surfs and was here in 1969, I realize that a lot of my compatriots have still not matured or do not look at things in a common sense way. It is usually based on emotion or taught to them by some left wing professor at UCSB.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 08:14 AM
After witnessing Dale Francisco at this week’s Mayoral Forum, I would suggest he does not have the demeanor to be our mayor. While all other candidates respectfully called him Dale or Mr. Francisco, he constantly referred to his opponents rudely by their last names only, if that. He did not apologize to the audience for keeping us waiting 20 minutes, and he often spoke with argumental tones. A mayor needs to build consensus, and bring people together. Solely witnessing the communication style of Dale Francisco, I would suggest he has a few things to learn before he is qualified to lead our City.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 09:39 AM
Sounds more like Dale Francisco is a pro-business, anti-environmental Republican than that he is really concerned about not having read the document beforehand.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 09:40 AM
What is it with the new “tone of civility” that is required only when Democrats are in power? What hypocrisy. Vote them out and watch them start screaming and ranting.
I don’t recall Harry Reid apologizing for calling the president liar. I don’t recall the arrogant self righteous Marty Blum apologizing for offending so many either. Free speech and civility seem to be a one way street. I am happy to see a little disruption and passion against these self righteous morally superior Dems.
GO DALE!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 09:41 AM
The problem is Marty and her clowns aren’t used to opposition and can’t seem to handle it.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 09:46 AM
SOS gets most of its rather limited funds from private individual donations, unlike the “undisclosed” secret deal between the 1969’er “anti-oil” local groups and PXP on the T-ridge project. Try to focus on the facts surrounding offshore oil. I do have a “special interest” in Santa Barbara beaches and marine environment, I’ve lived here most of my life, and grew up in the ocean, and know personally that the beaches in Santa Barbara have less oil on them now than in the mid-1960’s- as do most long time SB beach goers. So all the self-serving statements that offshore oil has been bad for Santa Barbara’s beaches, the environment and the economy is nonsense and does not serve the public’s best long term interest. The fear-mongering is losing its punch due to the public getting better educated. We didn’t know in 1969 that the long term benefit of oil seepage reductions would be so noticeable (and welcome), but the benefit is known now. So perhaps its time to change Santa Barbara’s General Plan to reflect our new knowledge- we’re all for science-based environmental policy, right?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 09:49 AM
“He did not apologize to the audience for keeping us waiting 20 minutes, and he often spoke with argumental tones.”
Since when does everyone have to “apologize” for “using argumentative tones? It’s a debate! In an argument, argumentative tones are perfectly appropriate, as if the rest of the council have never raised their voices. What a bunch of ....
OOPS I almost said something that would have the new civility police put me in jail. Is this North Korea or Communist Russia where you aren’t supposed to raise your voice against authority? What happened to the “question authority” mantra that you lefties were always so fond of? Oh that only applies when you aren’t in power. I see. We are supposed to be “kind” and speak in hushed tones and apologize if we raise our voices not call you out when you lying communists are the authorities? What a joke.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 10:03 AM
Geez, this guy is disagreeable, and difficult. Who would want someone like him to work with? He is not fit to be on council or anything else. go away, Dale. Far away.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 10:45 AM
He talked in argumentative tones and didn’t apowogize Waaaa
What a bunch of babies.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 10:47 AM
A true leader doesn’t play “follow the leader” like all of the other clowns. He speaks his mind, questions decisions and doesn’t cave in.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 12:47 PM
Well, let’s see ...
A councilman up for re-election (House). A former candidate for mayor
(Falcone). Two councilmen running for mayor (Francisco, Schneider). A councilman
running for state assembly (Williams). And a councilman (Horton) and a mayor (Blum) who are termed-out, and retiring this December.
And this group of seven is supposed to act like a “team” of “friends”?
Why do people really think these kind of self-obvious items come up, and consume
lots of public hearing time? Three guesses.
In fairness, with a new Interior Secretary, most of Bush’s late-term executive orders
are back on the table for a fresh review.
So maybe reminding the new administration that central coast residents are not too keen on lots more offshore oil development can’t hurt. Right?
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 01:03 PM
Bruce where does SOS receive their funds. I noticed there is a strong affliation with Cal Dive that of course makes money with offshore drilling. Can you state that you and your organization does not represent these types and their contributors? Do you and others stand to personally gain say with stock options or ?if offshore drilling is approved here?
I am looking at the facts and I agree that technology has improved. However, the source of your funds will help with determining the motivation beyond the seepage issue. I too am a long time resident with a graduate degree in Marine Biology. I too love the ocean. I also know that many oil spills and accidents go under the too small to report category and therefore the total volume of spillage is lowballed. I also agree that seepage is down and is partly related to drilling offshore but the science behind that conclusion is not perfect. There are other facts to consider such as geological movement, currents, upwelling and of course how you collect your data.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 01:55 PM
How dare he be disagreeable when he disagrees! Let’s go back to the days when the Council was a seven headed single brained monster and all of the Councilmembers agreed on how best to destroy our City in unison. Or should we adopt “rules” of what can be said, how to say it, and what can’t be said like the Communist House of “Representavies” just did against Joe Wilson. Let’s all write a resolution against Francisco, give him a lobotomy and teach him not to oppose the majority. Kind of like in George Orwell’s 1984.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 01:56 PM
How long until this Silly Council disperses? Can’t wait!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 02:16 PM
“I think it’s very clear that the majority of our constituents are opposed to new leasing,” he said.
You lie! Not from the comments I’ve seen on Noozhawk.
“It’s an important matter for us to clarify to the world, which was obviously very confused last year as a result of the reversal by the Board of Supervisors,” Williams said.
Omg! Is this for real? What will the WORLD think of us?? Who cares! How about wondering what Santa Barbara thinks of you? Or California in your case - go to Bakersfield and see how long you last in your political aspirations.
It’s all about image for Das, you can tell by the size of his suit closet.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 02:27 PM
But I’d like to take a crack at answering that question, with a question. How does where the money comes from or what the motivation is for presenting a fact, change a fact? Is this another shoot the messenger attempt at “debate”? Dispute or disprove the facts if you wish to, don’t question the one presenting it or their motivation!
Typical low intellect, desperate approach when an argument can’t be debated..hmmm… I don’t like what was said, and I can’t argue with it, so let’s dig up dirt on who said it and discredit it!!
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 05:08 PM
The reason for the question about how he is funded at SOS is trying to flush out a full response. Facts are not facts in this case. If one digs deeper into the real facts it becomes clear that the one of the largest oil spills in the world right now in Austrialia was with this so-called modern leak proof technology. Why do you accept his word and why not look into where someone gets funded to express their so-called objective opinion? I believe that it is very much up for debate as to whether taken as a whole that the reduced oil seepage due to drilling offsets other risks such as spillage and leaks. There was one study that was positive for drilling in terms of seepage that was taken out of context. Show me the facts are the facts in terms of a REAL scientific study. What, you do not have one?
I appreciate your answer but I still wait for Mr. Allen to fully disclose his and his associates and other interests sources of income and potential income if offshore drilling comes to California. It does matter because it leads to distortion of what you call the facts as being the facts. I am open to offshore drilling but the issue is not cut and dry like SOS would have everyone believe.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 05:46 PM
Thank you. Its tiring when folks disparage the messenger because they don’t like the message or the facts. Its indisputable that Santa Barbara beaches have less seep oil and tar now than in the 1950’s and 60’s. We now know the reason is offshore oil production, and yet there is a whole mini-industry of folks proclaiming that offshore oil has been terrible for the local environment and tourism, and the “risks” are too great to allow anymore offshore production. They have done an amazing spin-job on the facts and public perception. I have no undisclosed bias for the oil industry. If peanut farming was making our beaches cleaner, I’d be telling folks to go into peanut farming….
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 06:36 PM
Thank you Bruce Allen for answering some of the questions I asked. I too believe there is less seepage but the issue really is whether that is enough of an offset to an increased risk of spillage and leakage which you have NOT answered. There is not any data that proves your point in terms of the risk and reward tradeoff which I continue to point out. Also could you please comment on the Austrialian massive oil spill with modern offshore technology as well as the under reporting of small spills in the Gulf of Mexico in which Cal Dive has extensive business. These are facts that need to be discussed in terms of your promotion of SOS. Finally, I would like you to FULLY disclose where your organization gets its funding from instead of not answering the question. How about who are your top 10 sources of funding? Are they organizations that would benefit from offshore drilling or simply environmentalist trying to do the right thing. Please answer this time because I am not trying to disparage the messenger as you put it but merely trying to bring ALL relevant information into this discussion.
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 07:42 PM
Interesting statement that there is no proof or data that shows the risk reward tradeoff for offshore oil production in Santa Barbara. We have the proof, and its so obvious you apparently dont see it, and the people have been so bamboozled that you overlook the obvious. 50 years of offshore oil production and guess what- Beaches that any long time Santa Barbara beach goer knows as an absolute certainty- for the 1950’s (before significant offshore production), 1960’s, 1970’s and part of the 1980’s, you usually needed baby oil or turpentine to clean the natural seep oil off of your feet after even an hour on many south and central coast beaches. Now? You usually can be on the area beaches and not need to clean off the oil on your feet. Why? Offshore oil production is drying up the oil seeps. Please don’t dispute this obvious fact- and thanks to the good work of researchers- we even have correlation to platform data. We all know this is true. So the risk reward? 40+ years of offshore production- and guess what-cleaner beaches. Somehow that always gets left out of the City Council resolutions and Board of Supervisor hysterics, and State Legislators rants about offshore oil. And where have we ever seen the not-shy about scary-oil fundraising 1969’ers say that offshore oil has given us our cleaner beaches? I guess they just forgot to include that fact in the promotional “your beaches will be destroyed” fundraising materials. SOS gets most of its meager funds from private individuals and is supported by individuals that live here and have seen their beaches become cleaner all these years and all the while watching the rants of organizations telling people don’t believe your own eyes and feet- but please send us your checks so we can continue the charade. And don’t forget the public trough monies they collect- all while the CA State finances collapse. Great strategy…
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
» on 09.16.09 @ 08:52 PM
Vote them out—union puppets..
You don't have permission to flag this entry.
More Local News »
Approval from Santa Barbara County Supervisors the Last Step for Venoco’s New Pipeline
The board will consider an ordinance allowing the company to begin transporting oil via a pipeline that has already been built, instead of by barge
Pacific Storm Expected to Bring Rain, Wind Back to Santa Barbara County on Tuesday
Weather officials say South Coast could receive up to 1½ inches of rain with wind gusting to 30 mph
Santa Barbara-Goleta-Montecito Open House Listings: Feb. 5, 2012
Coldwell Banker, Prudential and Sotheby's post Sunday open house listings
Open House Listings: Feb. 4 & Feb. 5, 2012
Weekend open house listings for Santa Barbara, Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara County
Big-Rig Driver Killed in Highway 101 Crash Was Under the Influence of Meth, Officials Say
The tractor-trailer struck a sedan, trapping a woman and her young daughters inside the vehicle as it dangled over a bridge railing
Weather: Overcast 58.0º
Search Noozhawk »
