The Trump administration’s proposal to open federal waters off the entire coastline of California to drilling has sparked major controversy. The controversy is triggered by two main reasons: 1) The drilling in California is happening after a long pause since the 1960s, following an environmental nightmare due to oil spills that caused environmental concerns, and 2) The impact of drilling on the environment. Concerns have been raised since it was reported that the Trump administration is planning to start drilling in more places.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called it “idiotic” and vowed to use every tool available to protect the state’s coastline. Also, organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, and the Environmental Defense Center have spoken out against the proposal, citing concerns about environmental and economic impacts.

However, the Trump administration has endorsed the decision. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement that this will bring growth and that the nation will remain energy-dominant for decades to come.

Regardless of any political accusation, drilling is risky for the environment.

The proposal could lead to devastating oil spills, harming marine life and ecosystems.

The 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill is cited as an example of the destructive power of offshore drilling. What happened there was a major disaster: On January 28, 1969, a blowout occurred at Union Oil’s Platform A in the Santa Barbara Channel. The well ruptured under high pressure, spewing an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 barrels of crude oil into the ocean over 11 days. The oil slick covered over 800 square miles, coating beaches with thick tar and killing thousands of seabirds, dolphins, seals, and fish. It shocked the nation, sparked the modern environmental movement, and led to the creation of Earth Day and new laws banning offshore drilling in many areas.

Also, expanding offshore drilling would perpetuate decades of carbon pollution, contradicting California’s ambitious climate change policies.

Expanding offshore drilling would contribute to climate change, undermining California’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

So, first of all, implementing this plan could result in disastrous oil spills, causing extensive damage to marine ecosystems and negatively impacting coastal economies.

Secondly, it will bring growth. It might turn out to be the opposite, because drilling could jeopardize California’s $44 billion ocean economy, including the tourism and recreation industries, as well as put coastal communities at risk. A major spill could force beach closures for months or years, scare away tourists who come for surfing, whale-watching, and scenic drives, damage commercial fishing worth billions, and lower property values in coastal towns, leading to job losses far outweighing any short-term drilling gains. 

How, by harming nature and putting the tourism industry at risk, is the Trump administration going to make the country great again? 

This proposal seems like a step backward, prioritizing short-term profits over long-term sustainability and the well-being of California’s environment and people.