Rep. Mike Levin & Bipartisan Coalition Oppose Trump Administration’s Offshore Drilling Plans
Watch full press conference here
Solana Beach, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) was joined by a bipartisan coalition of officials including, Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner, State Senator Catherine Blakespear, Assemblymember Laurie Davies, Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, and environmental groups Oceana and Surfrider, to oppose and sound the alarm on the Trump Administration’s new offshore drilling plans for Southern California’s coast.
The proposals include as many as 34 offshore lease sales covering approximately 1.27 billion acres of United States coastline. In California, there would be six lease sales, three of which would be in Southern California. The plan would also include 21 lease sales off the coast of Alaska and seven in the Gulf of Mexico, and create a new administrative planning area called the South-Central Gulf of America.
“Offshore drilling puts our communities at direct risk of toxic spills that threaten public health, harm marine life, destroy habitat, and jeopardize an economy that generates tens of billions of dollars each year. Coastal communities do not want this. Democrats do not want this. Republicans do not want this. That is why I introduced the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act to fully ban new drilling off our coastline." said Rep. Levin. “Cities throughout our district have stood together and endorsed this legislation because protecting our coast is common sense. I will continue fighting against this decision because protecting the people I represent is not optional. Our coast is not for sale. California says hell no.”
In April 2025, Rep. Levin introduced the Southern California Coast and Ocean Protection Act¸ which would ban offshore drilling along the Southern California coast. He also co-sponsored Rep. Jared Huffman’s (CA- 02) bill, West Coast Ocean Protection Act, which would ban offshore drilling throughout California and the Pacific Northwest. Rep. Levin’s bill has been endorsed by numerous environmental groups and cities throughout the 49th Congressional District.
“California knows all too well that oil spills kill wildlife, contaminate fisheries, tarnish beaches, and impact people reliant on clean oceans,” said Ashley Blacow-Draeger, Field Campaign Manager for Oceana. “California is well along its transition away from offshore drilling, with numerous oil platforms already in various stages of decommissioning. Oceana stands united with state and federal elected officials from both parties, local communities, and the public who have resoundingly opposed the expansion of offshore drilling over the last several decades to protect the future of our coast forever.”??
“Our beautiful coast is not for sale, and it’s clear that the Trump Administration is really determined to drag us backward and undo any environmental progress we have achieved. It wasn’t that long ago in 2021 that tar balls were washing up on the San Diego shores from a spill in Orange County; that spill closed beaches, impacted small businesses and fishing operations, and destroyed habitat and wildlife. Offshore drilling contributes very little to our overall oil supply, but in return can be detrimental to the environment, public health and local economies. I am proud to stand alongside Congressman Levin and others to fight against this harmful decision,” said Assemblymember Tasha Boerner.
Rep. Levin has advocated extensively for a ban on offshore drilling. In November 2024, Rep. Levin sent a letter to the Biden Administration that resulted in the withdrawal of future oil and natural gas leasing in sensitive coastal areas across the country, including in Southern California. In January 2025, the Trump Administration once again opened these areas to drilling and has taken measures to expand offshore drilling and roll back environmental regulations.
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