Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. CARBAJAL. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act, to ensure we safeguard our environment against the threats of offshore oil drilling. I am proud to have worked with Chairman Grijalva, Chairman Lowenthal, and Representative Cunningham to make sure that this measure also includes my legislation, H.R. 279, the California Clean Coast Act. This would make certain that there is no future offshore oil and gas leasing off California's coast and put the interests of the American people first.

We cannot put corporate profits of Big Oil above protecting our environment. My constituents in the central coast have seen firsthand the damage oil spills inflicted on our communities and our local economies. During the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, over 100,000 barrels of crude oil spilled into the Santa Barbara Channel. This was the largest oil spill in California's history. It fundamentally harmed Santa Barbara's unique marine ecosystem and wildlife, recreational interests, and commercial fishing.

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Mr. CARBAJAL. Paired with the 2015 Plains Refugio oil spill, where cleanup costs hit $92 million, these incidents show us that we cannot afford another disastrous oil spill.

In contrast, California's coastal region tourism generates over $1.9 trillion of GDP per year. It also supports more than $731 billion in wages. Any future oil drilling would pose a direct threat to our local economies and the success of local businesses that are tied to clean oceans and healthy ecosystems. We must safeguard our planet and economy for future generations, including my two grandchildren, Roman and Gianna. This is why I urge passage of H.R. 1941, the Coastal and Marine Economies Protection Act.

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