PXP and BP opposed stricter safety and environmental rules for offshore oil drilling

At the same time Texas-based oil company Plains Exploration & Production (PXP) was trying to woo Santa Barbara environmentalists into supporting its plans to drill the first new offshore oil lease in California state waters in more than 40 years, the company was trying to convince the federal government not to implement stronger protections for drilling rigs that might have prevented the devastating oil spill that occurred 40 miles off the coast of Louisiana.

British Petroleum (BP), the operator responsible for the ongoing oil spill in Louisana, also submitted comments opposing the increased safety measures. Exxon and Chevron did as well.

The Louisiana spill, which is releasing approximately 5,000 barrels a day into the Gulf of Mexico, hit the coastline early Thursday evening. Described as possibly one of the nation’s worst environmental disasters in decades, the spill is threatening one of the world’s richest seafood grounds — home to shrimp, oysters and other marine life. The impacts of this spill on wildlife and the people in this region who depend on the sea for their livelihoods may force many into bankruptcy.

Releasing a copy of the letter PXP sent to federal authorities, Jordan, Director of the California Coastal Protection Network, blasted the company for speaking out of both sides of its mouth.  “On one hand, PXP pretends they care about the environment and on the other they are doing everything they can to make sure they don’t have to protect it by law.”

Jordan witnessed PXP’s heavy corporate hand last year when the company tried to bully the California State Legislature into approving its new offshore oil drilling project over the objections of the State Lands Commission (SLC).  The SLC denied the project in January of 2009 on the advice of legal counsel and the State Attorney General’s office. Had it been approved, it would have been the first new offshore oil lease since the 1969 blowout that fouled the Santa Barbara coastline.

Refusing to accept a legitimate denial by the agency in charge, PXP lobbied the Legislature to remove the SLC’s legal jurisdiction and force approval of its proposal within the budgetary process through creation of a “new” commission stacked with appointments by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who supports the project.  When PXP’s efforts failed, Gov. Schwarzenegger gutted an infant health care program that was a priority for then-Speaker Karen Bass, in retaliation for her refusal to deliver what PXP wanted.

In the 2010-2011 budget session, the Governor has again attempted to force approval of the PXP proposal by refusing to fund California’s state parks unless the PXP project is approved.

PXP has recently announced a “new agreement” that it claims resolves all the concerns that led to the SLC’s initial rejection of the project.

“The one concern they have not and cannot ever address is the 100 percent increase in the likelihood of an oil spill off the Santa Barbara County coast –  a spill that could echo the devastating impacts of the 1969 blowout that gave birth to the modern environmental movement,” Jordan said.

Jordan noted that PXP was recently found by Los Angeles County officials to have engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to win approval for a vast expansion of its onshore oil drilling operation in Baldwin Hills in close proximity to residential neighborhoods. Culver City, the Natural Resources Defense Council and others filed suit over the expansion and the case is currently pending.

PXP has had financial relationships in the Gulf of Mexico with both entities that are involved in the oil spill off Louisiana: British Petroleum and Transocean. The extent of those relationships at the current time is unclear.

“California has 40 years of state policy against new offshore oil drilling in state waters.  It is a policy that has served our state and our communities well. It is time to reaffirm that policy, send PXP’s oil drilling proposal back to Texas, and move toward a renewable energy future,” said Jordan.

Susan Jordan is a candidate for the 35th District Assembly seat and the Founder and Director of the award-winning environmental group, the California Coastal Protection Network. Jordan opposes the PXP oil drilling proposal to allow new drilling. Her opponent in the Democratic primary, Das Williams, supports it.

For a copy of the PXP letter, go here.

For a copy of the BP letter, go here.