Opponent’s comments on PXP oil drilling deal

This is a collection of what Das Williams has said about the Plains Exploration and Production Company deal to drill up to 30 new wells three miles off our coast:

“We don’t have to trust the corporation…. There is a private party agreement that’s enforceable as a contract between them and the environmental groups… So we have several layers of safety, we don’t need to trust them.” (Das made this statement despite the fact that the Attorney General and the State Lands Commission have definitively ruled that the deals are unenforceable.)
— Examiner, March 6, 2010

“Williams said that a decisive event in his final decision to run was the action taken by Jordan and Nava in helping to sink a painstakingly negotiated agreement between major environmental groups and Plains Exploration and Production (PXP) oil company.”
— Santa Barbara Independent, April 1, 2009

“Among the few environmentalists opposing the deal was longtime coastal advocate Susan Jordan and her husband, Assemblyman Pedro Nava. Jordan is now seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat, being vacated by Nava. She is opposed by city councilman Das Williams, who said he got into the race largely because of Jordan’s position on the issue.”
— “Tranquillon Ridge Project Returns,” Santa Barbara Independent, 5/14 2009

“The dynamic is clear in the Jordan/Das Williams Democratic primary race for Nava’s soon to be vacant seat. Williams got in, earlier backing Jordan, for the stated reason that she opposed EDC’s deal.” Williams said he “stands with EDC” in looking for alternative ways to breathe new life into the agreement with PXP, and to address environmental concerns raised by Lands Commission staff.
— “Arnold’s Oily Surprise,” Santa Barbara Independent, 5/21/2009

“Among those fighting to beat Schwarzenegger’s bill was Susan Jordan, a top contender for the seat and a coastal advocate who fiercely opposed EDC’s agreement from the start – and who happens to be married to Nava. Jordan’s chief Democratic rival is SB City Council Member Das Williams, who backed the original PXP agreement and cited Jordan’s opposition to it in his decision to enter the race.”
— “Pedro Drills Arnold,” Santa Barbara Independent, 7/30, 2009

“Longtime enviro Susan Jordan, who’s running to succeed her husband Pedro Nava, staked out a lonely stance opposing the deal, while most of her erstwhile allies, including City councilman Das Williams, backed it. Williams who had earlier pledged to support Jordan, cited her position on Tranquillon Ridge as the key reason for making an about-face entry in to the race.”
— “No Tranquility at Tranquillon,” Calbuzz Fishwrap, 5/15/2009

“I think it was a good deal and I think we should be willing to make good deals like that.”
— Excerpt from video interview with Das Williams on www.PlanetSantaBarbara.com

“An immediate effect of the split is the decision by Santa Barbara City Councilman Das Williams to open an exploratory committee to run for the 35th Assembly District. Williams had previously pledged to endorse Susan Jordan, the wife of the termed out incumbent Pedro Nava….” The situation (defeat of PXP at SLC) played a major role in convincing Williams to abandon his support and move toward entering the race himself.”
— “Oil drilling deal splits Democrats,” Ventura County Star, 3/11/2009

“Last week, Santa Barbara City Councilmember Das Williams jumped into the Democratic primary for the seat, citing Jordan’s opposition to an agreement between environmentalists and the oil company Plains Exploration & Production (PXP) as a key reason for abandoning his earlier support of her.
— “Why Susan Jordan Loves Homework,” Santa Barbara Independent, 4/9/2009