Nanette Barragán : REP. BARRAGÁN INTRODUCES AMENDMENT TO PREVENT OIL “EXPLORATION” AND DRILLING OFF COAST

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REP. BARRAGÁN INTRODUCES AMENDMENT TO PREVENT OIL 'EXPLORATION' AND DRILLING OFF COAST

WASHINGTON, D.C.-Rep. Nanette Díaz Barragán (D-San Pedro) introduced an amendment to the SEA Act in the House Natural Resources Committee to ban new oil and gas 'exploration' and drilling offshore. The amendment would ban the practice of 'seismic airgun blasting,' which is commonly used by oil companies to locate potential oil and gas deposits beneath the ocean floor. Halting the practice would effectively prevent new drilling off the coast of California.

Rep. Barragán issued the following statement after committee Republicans, including two members from California, voted down her amendment, and to advance H.R. 3133, the Streamlining Environmental Approvals Act (SEA) to the House floor:

'The SEA Act guts core protections of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in order to expedite oil and gas exploration and other industrial activities,' said Rep. Barragán. 'It is a giveaway to the oil and gas industry that allows for drilling no matter the environmental or economic cost.'

'The explorative activities that the SEA Act encourages-such as seismic airgun surveys-represent the first steps towards increasing oil and gas drilling operations. This is especially troubling for those of us on the Pacific coast, who are now facing the prospect of seeing our beloved coastline opened up for new oil and gas drilling for the first time in more than 30 years.

'My amendment reflected the will of the vast majority of Californians who strongly oppose new oil and gas drilling off their coast. While the amendment was not adopted and this bill was advanced out of the Committee, I will continue fighting to protect our coastline and all of those who depend upon it.'

Video of Congresswoman Barragán's comments is available here.

The text of the Congresswoman's proposed amendment to the SEA Act is attached here.

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Nanette Díaz Barragán is proud to represent California's 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington.