Reversing a symbolic action taken just more than seven months ago, the County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to oppose new offshore oil leasing, urging the reinstatement of a federal moratorium. In August, supervisors Salud Carbajal and Janet Wolf had written a letter of dissent to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger when the board voted in support of expanding oil exploration, but this time around, they had the support of new 3rd District Supervisor Doreen Farr when the issue came in front of them. Just prior to President George W. Bush’s departure from office, the Department of Interior proposed opening up 130 million acres off the California coast to oil and gas leasing, though the matter has yet to be reviewed.
Supes Reverse Pro-Oil Stance
3-2 Vote Against New Leases Replaces 2008 Vote in Favor