Why Some Enviros Back T-Ridge Oil Project
Today and tomorrow, Calbuzz is posting pro and con arguments written by leading California environmentalists about the Tranquillon Ridge offshore oil drilling project. The project, about which you can find some of our reporting and analysis here, here and here, has emerged, along with AB32, as one of the two most contentious environmental issues in the state. Expected to remain the focus of political controversy next year. the proposal has generated conflicts among some longtime allies in the environmental movement. Today’s piece is by Linda Krop, chief counsel for the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara, who negotiated the proposed agreement with the Houston-based PXP oil company.
By Linda Krop
Special to Calbuzz
For over 30 years, the Environmental Defense Center has been among the state’s leading advocates in the battle to end oil drilling along our magnificent coast. That’s why we’re so excited about the landmark agreement we negotiated on behalf of environmental groups in Santa Barbara County to phase out offshore oil production.
Like so many other issues misrepresented in today’s highly charged political climate, the Tranquillon Ridge proposal has been co-opted by some who seek to use it for their own political gain. That’s too bad because this agreement will finally bring an end to California offshore oil drilling.
Despite our efforts and successes along the way, there are still too many platforms drilling for oil off our coast. Pressure for more leasing abounds. In the 21st Century, we need to find new and innovative ways to solve old problems. With the Tranquillon Ridge agreement, we have found the way to do just that. That’s why this agreement is supported by a broad spectrum of groups — for whom coming together is a rare occurrence.
We recognize that there are nay-sayers and those who are nervous about any approach that falls short of removing all offshore oil drilling NOW. But the reality is that no matter how much we want to pull these rigs from the ocean, we don’t have the legal authority or the support of any administration — Democrat or Republican — to achieve that goal.
So, we’ve found a way to get something through a negotiated agreement that we could not achieve in any other forum: an agreed termination date for four of the major oil rigs drilling off our shores. Currently these platforms operate without any end date, and can continue drilling for several more decades.
Under the agreement, three of the platforms would be shut down in nine years. The fourth platform would follow five years later. All related onshore processing facilities would be removed. In addition, hundreds of acres of onshore oil wells would be shut down. And as a further bonus, the agreement requires PXP to reduce and offset all of its greenhouse gas emissions and provide approximately 4,000 acres of land to the public for permanent conservation. No new construction or facilities would be permitted.
This agreement is a total win-win for the environment. It will not only put an end to existing drilling operations, but will also provide the greatest protection against new federal leasing in California. The four platforms that will be shut down pose the biggest threat for new leasing along our coast because they can be used to access known reserves and are supported by existing infrastructure, making new drilling both attractive and economically profitable. Shutting down these platforms and removing the onshore facilities assures that they are not available for future oil leasing and development.
The signal this agreement will send is that California is serious about getting rid of offshore oil and willing to go the extra mile to make it happen. That’s why this agreement is endorsed by 20 major environmental groups in Santa Barbara County as well as our pro-environment County Supervisors, City Council members and Congresswoman Lois Capps.
The claim that such an agreement is not enforceable is misguided and wrong. While the Feds (through the Minerals Management Service, known as MMS) can fine a company for failing to continue production when there is still “profitable” oil in the ground (and thus royalties available to the government), a contract to end drilling (guaranteed under this agreement) is an enforceable contract.
It is not often that we have an opportunity to be creative and progressive in dealing with such a pressing issue facing the people of California. Rhetoric that suggests that we who support this agreement are somehow in favor of oil development is cynical and untrue, and does nothing to address the real issue of continued drilling off our shores.
This agreement is an example of what we can do when people work together in an innovative way. While we on the environmental protection side have been able to win most of our battles, this approach gives us a way to end the war.
This is not an either-or situation to be pursued at the exclusion of additional approaches. An oil extraction tax, for example, is one way to help solve California’s budget woes, but it will do nothing to end offshore oil production. We need to have a variety of approaches to addressing our economic needs while protecting our environment. The proposal for an oil extraction tax can, and should, go hand in hand with a plan to stop oil drilling offshore.
We look forward to the opportunity to explain the benefits of this unique proposal, and address any concerns, should this matter be reconsidered by the State Lands Commission.
Linda Krop is Chief Counsel of the Environmental Defense Center, a public interest law firm. The EDC has led the fight against off-shore oil drilling for over 30 years. For more information about the Tranquillon Ridge plan, you may visit the EDC website at www.EDCnet.org.
No matter how many times I read these pro-PXP offshore oil drilling opinion pieces I do not understand how EDC and PXP, a small enviro nonprofit and a small regional Texas oil company, can ‘end offshore oil drilling in California.’ It is a frivolous exaggeration.
EDC-PXP lack the support of other oil companies, the federal government, the Republican Party, the Democratic Party, California State Lands Commission, the California Attorney General’s office, and face united opposition from over 100 of the largest environmental organizations in the US. Only the Wall Street Journal, in a self serving effort to bust open California for the first new offshore oil drilling in 40 years, supports the deal.
No one who has reviewed the limited documents available believes EDC’s ‘enforceable’ contract will end ‘offshore oil drilling.’ Why are we continuing to have this discussion?
Nice earrings! (Bet there’s more where they came from!)
That’s a real cheap shot from someone who usually has something to contribute. What, did you coal in your stocking this year?
Linda is right about the TR proposal being used for political gain—one candidate for assembly only decided to enter the race when he realized his “support” (albeit late in the game and weak in substance) for TR could be used as a wedge issue in the race—so yes, it is unfortunate that this proposal–good or bad–has so far divided the progressive and environmental communities. Sadly, this is a clear lesson in what happens when good people get caught up in negotiating with an entity [texas oil company] who does not play by the same rules that “the good guys” do…..
People need to get real about our energy policy. Yes renewables are great and will be the way we get much of our energy supply in the future but that is years away. As long as you want to eat, live, and enjoy the necessaties in life you are going to still need petroleum in order to get to that future. There is an abundant supply of oil at T-Ridge and we need it. The fact that EDC was able to win some huge concession sis only more reason to let PXP tap into the reserve. We are not talking about a new platform or additional threats to the coast, the drilling that PXP wants to permit is much like all the drilling that is occuring right now in already-permitted locations-its not really that big of a change. The spillage you get from tanker traffic is much greater than anything you get from an oil platform Those of you who decry oil-drilling as more of a theological reation then one based on fact are also those opposed to our interventions in the middle east, all of which have one goal: secure our oil supply.
Until we make an electric engine that can haul goods over the Rockies, or otherwise drive our econmic engine we will need to tap our own domestic reseves. At least oil extraction here in California is done in the cleanest way possible, lessens our reliance on oil from foreign dictators, and would provide much needed bounty to state coffers, much which can be used for other environmental goals,