California’s coastline is under attack. Certain members of
the U.S. Congress are attempting to remove key offshore drilling
prohibitions and open our coast to oil exploration.
As California’s chief fiscal officer, I’m concerned
about the environmental damage that offshore drilling can cause to
the state’s people and economy. The city of Los Angeles is
home to over 70 miles of coastline, and the county has over 80
miles; the risks brought by offshore drilling are too great ““
especially weighed against our need to aggressively develop cleaner
forms of energy.
California needs your help this summer. We need to educate the
public on what Washington is trying to do to this state, and I
challenge you to become a part of this important effort.
Your voice and actions, joined with others across the state, can
send the important message that California will not accept any
weakening of our coastal protections. Each of us must accept this
challenge ““ we cannot stand back and let special interests
thousands of miles away determine our future.
I have accepted this challenge and have called on other elected
officials in California to join in the fight. Further, as a member
of the State Lands Commission, I advocated the passage of a
resolution urging the president and Congress to continue the
moratorium on federal offshore oil and gas leasing.
You also have the means to meet this challenge. I have included
a list of just a few of the great organizations in the L.A. area
that are looking for volunteers this summer to help with coastal
protection. These Web sites also offer good information on what is
happening in Washington, who to write and how to stay involved.
Sierra Club, L.A. Chapter ““ www.angeleschapter.org; Heal
the Bay, Santa Monica ““ www.healthebay.org; Surfrider
Foundation USA ““ www.surfrider.org.
I am also hosting seven California college interns. They will
help research and develop policy on climate change, renewable
energy and offshore oil drilling.
This list is not exhaustive ““ you may want to create your
own project, but the key is to get involved. Take a stand. Protect
the California coastline.
Westly is the California state controller.