California Senate passes bill to block expanded offshore drilling

The California Senate has passed Assembly Bill 1448, a measure designed to protect the state’s coastline from expanded federal offshore oil and gas drilling. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember Gregg Hart, seeks to prohibit the use of existing infrastructure for new federal drilling leases and aims to strengthen state authority over such leases.

The legislative move follows proposals from the Trump administration to auction off California’s coast for offshore drilling and a federal review that could potentially diminish the power of the California Coastal Commission.

Oceana, a co-sponsor of the bill, expressed support for the legislation, citing the environmental and economic risks posed by offshore drilling to coastal communities. The bill now moves to the California State Assembly for a vote.