Walnut Grove, CA - It has been four decades since the 1969 Oil spill off the Santa Barbara coast wreaked havoc on Californiaʼs cherished coastline. The massive oil spill in the Gulf coast reminds of the dangers of selling out our coastline to oil companies. Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) wants Congress to initiate a new moratorium on offshore drilling.

"This oil spill is a clarion call to renew the Congressional offshore oil drilling moratorium that served our country well for 26 years," Congressman Garamendi stated. "To those who say the technology has improved, to those who say it canʼt happen here, well, it already has."

Last year, as Lieutenant Governor of California, Garamendi blocked new offshore drilling on Californiaʼs coastline. Garamendi casted the deciding vote against new drilling at the PXP platform off of the Santa Barbara coast; the same coastline that had been devastated by an oil spill forty year earlier.

"Sadly, the people of the Gulf Coast are now learning what offshore oil drilling reaps: the destruction of natural preserves, the ruination of coastlines, and the disruption of ocean- based economies," said Congressman Garamendi. "This marks a turning point in our national discussion on new offshore oil drilling. Those calling for 'drill, baby, drill' need to start including the corollary, 'spill, baby, spill'."

As Congressman, Garamendi will continue to protect Californiaʼs coastline.

"For more than four decades, a large majority of local, state, and federal California officials have presented a near-united front against new offshore oil drilling, and it is this impressive show of force, along with the federal moratoriums, that has protected our coast for so long," Garamendi added. "If we are going to guarantee that our grandchildren inherit the same beautiful coast that has helped draw so many Californians to call our state home, we cannot allow any cracks to form in our resolute opposition to new offshore oil drilling."