Oil Spill Prevention & Response

AP/Marcio Jose Sanchez

Pacific Environment has been engaged in oil spill issues in California since the horrific Cosco Busan oil spill in the Bay area in 2007.  In 2009, the Dubai Star oil tanker spilled bunker fuel into the bay after a routine fuel transfer operation in the San Francisco Bay.  Slightly a year later, the DaTang 18 tanker spilled oil in the Los Angeles harbor.  Given the reliance Californians have on our invaluable coastline, the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill tragedy serves as a reminder that preventing oil spills is one of our biggest priorities.

Pacific Environment has been working with California state lawmakers to tighten up oil spill prevention standards in California waters.

This year, Pacific Environment assisted Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D - San Rafael) to introduce the Oil Spill Preparedness Act -- AB 1112.

This legislative bill keeps California's oil spill prevention agencies solvent and able to protect California's pristine coastlines from economically devastating oil spills. Specifically, it will:

• increase the Oil Spill Prevention Administration Fund revenues to meet current inflation levels; by design, this fund is paid for by the oil companies that create oil spill risks - and not by the citizens;
  
• require the Office of Spill Prevention & Response (OSPR) to identify the highest risk oil transfer operations and increase their monitoring;
• and require offshore oil drilling rigs to have contingency plans in the event of a blowout preventer failure to prevent a Gulf Coast-like tragedy from happening in California.
  

Click below to read  the Fact Sheet on the Oil Spill Preparedness Act (AB 1112)