SACRAMENTO– Assemblymember Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay), joined by members of the legislature, the Central Coast Legislature Caucus, and community advocates, hosted a press conference at the California State Capitol in opposition to the Trump Administration's offshore oil drilling proposal.
"For the first time in forty years, we have a President pushing to expand offshore drilling," said Addis. "This threatens the industries that sustain us while providing minimal economic benefit for the people and disastrous consequences for public health and vulnerable marine habitats. What we need right now is leadership that builds progress instead of trying to sell our resources to the dirtiest bidder. It is why we are standing against this dangerous and gross overreach to grab resources that we hold dear and muddy the progress we have made."
A bipartisan group of elected members, including Assemblymembers Hart, Pellerin, Boerner, Davies, Rogers, Aguiar-Curry, Bennett, and Ward, and Senators Laird, Stern, and Allen spoke of the federal government's overreach in authorizing drilling off the coast of California and other states.
They were joined by California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot and Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis:
"California's coast is not for sale," said Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. "Oil companies backed by the Trump Administration are once again trying to bypass the law, but the answer is clear. Californians say no. History has shown us the devastating consequences of oil spills. I'm grateful to Assemblymember Dawn Addis, our Central Coast legislators, and the advocates and community members standing up to protect our shoreline. Together, we will continue fighting to keep our coast safe for future generations."
Other attendees included advocates from across the state, including physicians, scientists, fishers, small businesses, and environmental advocates such as OCEANA ambassador, Cobie Smulders:
"I grew up playing on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, I feel a deep connection to the sea, and it is where I feel most at home. While more dangerous than ever before, the consequences of offshore drilling are not new to our state. The federal government should not double down on offshore drilling that has proven to be so destructive to the environment. I'm joining the many California legislative leaders in calling on the Department of Interior to scrap this drafted plan, and to stand for California's coast."
Last month, the California Central Coast Caucus, co-chaired by Assemblymembers Addis and Hart, submitted public comment to Secretary of the Interior Burgum in opposition to the federal plan, citing economic and environmental concerns.
Assemblymember Addis also introduced her first bill of 2026, AB 1536, the Save Our Shores Act, on the topic yesterday.
Public comment to the Bureau of Ocean Management on the federal proposal ends January 23, 2026.
Dawn Addis was elected to the California State Assembly in 2022 to represent the coastal 30th Assembly District, which includes San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Counties. She is the Chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee 1 on Health.
CONTACT: Alexis Garcia-Arrazola, (916) 319-2030