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Carpinteria council adopts resolution opposing new federal offshore oil and gas leasing

Carpinteria City Council · January 14, 2026

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Summary

Carpinteria adopted Resolution No. 6430 opposing inclusion of new offshore oil and gas leasing in federal waters off California, citing local risks to tourism, fisheries and coastal ecosystems; staff encouraged residents to submit comments to BOEM before Jan. 23, 2026.

The Carpinteria City Council unanimously adopted a resolution Jan. 12 opposing new federal offshore oil and gas leasing proposed for California waters.

Environmental program specialist Tatiana Suriel briefed the council on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) proposed program and the city’s history of opposition, noting past regional incidents — including the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill and the 2015 Refugio pipeline rupture — as context for the action. Suriel said the BOEM comment period remained open through Jan. 23, 2026, and staff recommended the city formally register its opposition.

Suriel told council that offshore development could pose risks to local tourism, fisheries and public health and said the action aligns with the county’s October 2025 framework to phase out oil and gas operations. “If adopted, this resolution and opposition letter will ensure that the City of Carpinteria’s position is formally recorded with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s decision‑making process,” Suriel said.

Council voted to adopt the resolution and authorized the mayor to sign a letter of opposition; staff said it would put out a public notice so residents may also submit comments to regulations.gov by the BOEM deadline.