By Linda Pauer
(photo credit: Surfrider Foundation)
Millions of Americans oppose offshore drilling which threatens marine life, coastal business and the communities that enjoy our beaches. The Sierra Club, alongside other environmental organizations, is actively engaged in multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration to halt the expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling, particularly along the California coast. This follows the Department of the Interior’s November 2025 announcement of a 5-year plan to open over 1 billion acres to new drilling, including six lease sales off California planned for 2027.
In response, Sierra Club Executive Director Loren Blackford released the following statement:
“Donald Trump and Doug Burgum are once again trying to sell out our coastal communities and our public waters in favor of corporate polluters’ bottom line. Americans across the political spectrum have made it clear they oppose offshore drilling. We know the risks are far too great, threatening ecosystems and coastal economies with the risk of spills that would take decades to clean up.
“Despite overwhelming bipartisan opposition, Trump and Burgum are moving forward with their reckless plan to serve their ultimate goal of handing over our public lands and waters to Big Oil CEOs. These lease sales are privatization in everything but name – a ‘keep out’ sign is the same whether an area was sold or leased. The Sierra Club will continue to stand with coastal communities and work to stop this reckless plan dead in the water.”
In San Diego, a coalition of environmental groups and elected officials joined forces to launch a new campaign against offshore oil drilling. Wildcoast and the Sierra Club unveiled a billboard to highlight threats from offshore drilling. “Besides the devastation to marine life, there is also human costs to oil spills.”
The Surfrider Foundation’s Fact Sheet describes the serious environmental impacts associated with each stage of offshore and gas development, as well as the economic impacts that threaten coastal recreation, tourism and fishing industries. “These industries depend on a clean and healthy coastal and ocean environment and provide around 3.3 million jobs and $250 billion in GDP.”
(photo credit: Surfrider Foundation)
SIERRA SAGE PRESENTS:
STOP OFFSHORE DRILLING
JOIN US on Wednesday, May 27th to learn how The Surfrider Foundation is actively working to stop offshore drilling in California through grass-roots advocacy, public education, and policy engagement. They organize local campaigns and encourage community members to participate in public comment periods, ensuring that their voices are heard.
Our speaker is Michaela Coats, Southern California Regional Manager with the Surfrider Foundation, whose work in collaboration with other environmental organizations is instrumental in building a united front to safeguard the health of California's shores.
Join Us: Wednesday, May 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM
24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
RSVP