Updates

Last month, BAPPC joined the Surfrider Foundation, Tribal leaders, and coastal advocates in Dana Point to launch a new billboard campaign urging community members to tell Congress: no new offshore drilling off the California coast. 

The event, held at the corner of Doheny Park Road and Victoria Boulevard, brought together BAPPC founding member Grant Bixby, Surfrider CEO Chad Nelsen, and Shannon Wingfield, Tribal Secretary Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation , to highlight what’s at stake for California’s coast—and why communities across Southern California are speaking out.

The campaign comes as the federal government prepares a new five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan that includes California. For BAPPC, the threat of new drilling hits particularly close to home. The coalition was formed by businesses following the 2021 Orange County oil spill, when a pipeline failure release oil into coastal waters and disrupted beaches, fisheries, recreation, and businesses throughout the region.

Bixby’s business was among those directly affected.

“We know from experience that when we drill, we spill,” Bixby said. “Today, we are on the cusp of the federal government releasing a new five-year offshore drilling plan with all of California in the crosshairs. They are attacking our state’s ability to manage our own coastline, ignoring our state laws, the will of the people, and destroying states’ rights and local control.”

For BAPPC and its members, the consequences of offshore drilling extend beyond the immediate risks of spills and pollution. California’s clean and accessible coastline supports businesses, jobs, recreation, tourism, fisheries, and communities throughout the state. Given all of this, protecting the coast is an economic priority.

“Offshore oil is bad for business, and it’s a terrible business plan for California,” Bixby said. “People from all parts of our beautiful state, throughout the country, and all over the world come to California to experience our scenic, abundant, clean, and open coastline. So no more spills. No more killing of marine life. No more closures of our beaches, harbors, and fisheries. Let’s keep California open for business.”

That message has been at the heart of BAPPC since its founding: a healthy coast and a healthy coastal economy go hand in hand. Businesses throughout California depend on clean beaches, open harbors, thriving fisheries, and a healthy ocean. Another expansion of offshore drilling would put those resources, and the communities and livelihoods they support, at risk.

Congress has the power to oppose new offshore oil and gas leasing off California. As the federal government considers opening the coast to new drilling, BAPPC is joining businesses and communities across Southern California in making sure decision makers hear directly from the people who have the most at stake that our ocean and coastal communities are not for sale.

To urge your congressional representatives to oppose offshore drilling, complete this action alert today.