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Two years ago,
Californians won a significant victory over the oil industry when
a federal appellate court decided that the federal agency Minerals
Management Service (MMS) violated two federal environmental laws
when it extended the lease terms of the 37 undeveloped leases off
the Santa Barbara coast.
The court ordered
the MMS to obey the law and evaluate the lease extensions for their
foreseeable environmental effects. Not surprisingly, the MMS concluded
that extending the 37 lease terms — meaning that 37 places along
our coast remain open to filthy oil and gas exploration and drilling
— had no significant impact on the surrounding environment. Obviously,
this conclusion strains credulity.
Environment
California is prepared to challenge the MMS in court yet again.
Partnering with Environmental Defense Center of Santa Barbara and
other groups, we will make sure that the oil industry — with the
help of the MMS — cannot flout our environmental laws and degrade
our precious coastline.
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