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Hart presents AB 14 48 to bar use of state infrastructure for new offshore drilling
Summary
Assemblymember Hart said AB 14 48 would prohibit use of state-owned infrastructure to facilitate new offshore oil and gas development and require additional environmental and safety review by the State Lands Commission; coastal cities and environmental groups testified in strong support.
Assemblymember Hart told the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee that new federal offshore lease sales could again put California’s coast at risk and described AB 14 48 as a protective, preventive measure.
"AB 14 48 will protect against expansions of oil and gas leasing and drilling in federal waters by prohibiting the use of existing infrastructure to support new offshore development," Hart said, urging that the State Lands Commission consider additional environmental and safety factors before lease transfers or modifications.
Supporters from coastal governments and conservation groups linked the bill to recent federal leasing proposals and cited the 2015 Refugio oil spill as an example of coastal harms. Carlin Shelby, on behalf of the city of Half Moon Bay, said local economies and public resources can suffer long-lasting effects after spills. Marie Lu of Oceana and Jennifer Fearing representing several organizations testified the bill strengthens state safeguards and transparency around lease assignments and infrastructure use.
Committee members asked questions about the bill’s scope and local impacts. No lead witnesses in opposition registered at the hearing. The author and supporting organizations asked the committee to pass the measure to the Appropriations Committee for further review.
