Tranquillon Ridge Project Returns

Oh here we go again. Is this Republican Arnold Schwarzenegger's way of giving a big wet kiss to his buddy in arms Das Williams? Since Das' entire campaign is built on pushing for new offshore oil drilling.... this would seem to help, right? Let's hope everyone remembers just who is the real enviro in this race--- was, is and always will be Susan Jordan.

First off, the original PXP deal was questionable at best. http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/...
EDC and others were duped into playing pawns in the game and dragged a large contingent of people who mistakenly based their support on EDC's long history of protecting the environment. It was an unfortunate mess. Anyone who still believes in that deal should look at the state lands commission report and pay attention to the fact that the attorney general said the deal was unenforceable.
Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the new proposal has no environmental concessions or end date so this story is inaccurate.

I don't know what EDC was motivated by to jump into this mess in the first place. Perhaps it was money. perhaps it was ego, being the *deal maker*. In any case it was utter foolishness. And now the governator is trying to piggy back on that awful deal to open up California to new drilling in hopes of balancing the budget.

EDC did the advanced beach landing to soften the opposition for the pro-oil politicians Williams and Schwarzenegger invasion. Although they tried, the advanced assault did not knock out Jordan, and Nava.
They remain ready and vigilent to protect our precious coast from these oil pirates.

I was encouraged to see members of EDC and the Schwarzenegger Administration speak out against offshore drilling at the Interior Department hearing in San Francisco last month. They stressed the impacts from oil development in the Outer Continental Shelf on the natural environment, tourism, fishing, etc, did not justify marring our coast with further drilling operations and spill risks. They demanded focus and investment on renewable energy sources in less environmentally sensitive areas.

As the State Lands showed that the Tranquillon end dates of 2022 are unenforeceable and title to the lands donated are not clear, with all the attendant risks of blowout and spillage, we only see our fair Governor and much of the SB environmental community intends to balance the budget on the back of our coasts...and all Santa Barbara County residents.

Risks to the coast in federal waters (OCS) are only magnified in the state coastal sanctuary, which includes our beaches and tidepools.

And Lt. Governor Garamendi is absolutely correct: we allow our coasts to be bought in Santa Barbara, then the three areas now slated for new federal leases under review by Interior Secretary Salazar, Santa Maria, Oceanside-Capistrano, and Point Arena Basins, will have their business plan written for them by EDC.

Susan Jordan and Pedro Nava are the real heroes protecting our Central Coast and deserve our enthusiastic support in stopping the Tranquillon Ridge project and reinstituting the federal offshore drilling moratorium.

Jack Eidt
Wild Heritage Planners

No offense to some of the commenters, but I had to laugh at some of them. Das pro-oil? A johnny-come-lately environmental warrior second to Pedro's wife? Hah!

Das wrote and staffed anti-oil legislation for Hanna-Beth Jackson way before Pedro was even in office. By the way, that legislation includes the resolution that Nava now copies and re-authors every session of the state legislature.

Search on the keywords "Das Williams" and then search on the keywords "Susan Jordan" in your favorite search engine. You will see the vast difference in amount of environmental advocacy of the two candidates.

Thanks for the link Jerry Roberts. But it does not take away the risk of the camel nose in the tent at all. Nor does Linda Krop's statement make this may be a supportable project. The following from your link;

"A budget trailer bill that would allow the Director of Finance to “reconsider” an offshore deal that conformed with legislative language defining six specific circumstances which apply only to the PXP deal; the most important is that oil and gas are draining into state waters at the site, and Tranquillon is the only project that meets that criteria."

Yes it is true that only at Tranquillon is oil belonging to the State being drained by a Federal platform at this time. But the amount being drained is small and the State is compensated for it . More importantly, what is to keep the Federals from leasing in Federal waters access to oil fields that can drain State oil? The geography of oil fields is not determined by the boundary line between State and Federal waters.

EDC should be ashamed at what they started and now seem willing to push again, oil drilling in State waters. They should say that they are sorry and made an serious error in judgment. Thank god we have people like Nava and Jordan to watch our backs.

Joaquin -- you miss the point entirely. It doesn't matter what comes up when you Google Das' name. What matters is that he had endorsed Susan Jordan for office, then reversed himself and decided to run against her when he saw a miniscule bit of political leverage to be gained by supporting the first new offshore drilling campaign in Santa Barbara in over 30 years. That is the point. In this campaign Das runs as the pro-offshore oil candidate.

Just like Governor Schwarzenegger, Das can't say he supports PXP but doesn't support offshore oil drilling. That is semantical BS -- you can't be for more offshore oil drilling in order to try to stop more offshore oil drilling!

One other point should be made here. Aside from this offshore oil fiasco, Das has a swell record on the environment. It isn't comparable, however, to that of Susan Jordan. Jordan's statewide work on the largest, most significant environmental protection and quality issues facing California and the nation over the last 10 years is unmatched. From US Navy Sonar to marine mammal protection, from LNG terminals to the proposed toll road through San Onofre State Park, Jordan has been a key strategist on the most critical environmental issues facing not just local residents but folks throughout California and the rest of the nation. Its like comparing apples and oranges. Jordan will be the best environmentalist in the entire state capitol, without doubt.

Does DAS WILLIAMS support this proposal of the Governor's to put forth PXP? He reads these blogs. what say you Das? a simple yes or no would suffice.

Will all you holier than thou people just stop driving and flying so we won't need the oil?

In my humble opinion, I am uncomfortable with spouses succeeding spouses who are termed out of office...a little too reminiscent of Tony Strickland for me.

You Santa Barbara eco groupies seem like indulged children. At long last it appears your gig may be up.

You can still hold your candlelight vigils and mourn 1969 on into eternity. Meanwhile the rest of us will extract the resources, pay the bills, and keep providing the cheap energy you say you dont use.