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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of SLO Opposition to Oil & Gas Leases off Central CoastCity of San Luis Obispo, Office of the City Council, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93401-3249, 805.781.7114, slocity.org December 8, 2025 Ms. Kelly Hammerle Program Manager Bureau of Ocean Energy Management 45600 Woodland Road Sterling, VA 20166-9216 RE: Comments on the Draft Proposed 2026–2031 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program – Opposition to Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing off California’s Coast Dear Ms. Hammerle, On behalf of the City of San Luis Obispo, I am writing to express our strong opposition to any new offshore oil and gas lease sales off the coast of California under the Draft Proposed 2026–2031 11th National Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program. According to the Department of the Interior’s recent announcement, the Draft Proposed Program would replace the current 2024–2029 National OCS Program and contemplate up to 34 potential offshore lease sales across 21 of the 27 OCS planning areas, including six along the Pacific coast, covering roughly 1.27 billion acres overall. While we recognize the federal obligation under the OCS Lands Act to consider national energy needs, we strongly disagree that expanding offshore oil and gas leasing off California is in public interest. Conflict with California and Local Climate Commitments California has adopted some of the nation’s strongest climate and clean-energy laws, including statutory greenhouse gas reduction targets and a commitment to achieve carbon neutrality. Locally, the City of San Luis Obispo has aligned its policies and investments with these state goals by advancing emissions reductions, renewable energy, and climate adaptation strategies. The proposed expansion of offshore leasing off California’s coast is fundamentally inconsistent with this trajectory. Additional long-lived fossil fuel infrastructure and production in the Pacific OCS region would lock in emissions for decades and undermine the substantial work already underway at the state and local level to transition away from fossil fuels. Threats to Coastal Ecosystems and Coastal Economies California’s coastal and marine ecosystems support significant tourism, recreation, fisheries, and outdoor economies. The Pacific OCS region includes sensitive habitats and iconic coastal resources that are central to our communities’ quality of life and economic well-being. History has shown that offshore oil and gas activities can have severe, long-term consequences for coastal environments and economies, even when incidents occur far from any single city. In our view, the environmental and economic risks of renewed leasing in the Pacific OCS far outweigh the limited contribution that Pacific production currently makes to national energy supply. Longstanding Opposition to Pacific OCS Leasing There has not been a new offshore lease sale in the Pacific OCS planning areas for decades, reflecting sustained bipartisan opposition at the federal, state, and local levels. The City of San Luis Obispo previously submitted comments opposing inclusion of California’s coast in offshore leasing programs during prior federal planning cycles, and our position remains unchanged: we oppose any new or expanded offshore oil and gas leasing off California’s central coast. For these reasons, the City of San Luis Obispo respectfully urges BOEM to exclude all Pacific OCS planning areas off the coast of California from the final 2026–2031 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program; and maintain and strengthen existing protections that have, for decades, prevented new offshore oil and gas lease sales along California’s coast. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Erica A. Stewart Mayor City of San Luis Obispo CC: Assemblymember Dawn Addis Senator John Laird