The U.S. Department of the Interior released its formal Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program in November, setting up six potential offshore lease sales along the California coast between 2027 and 2032. The proposal immediately drew opposition from Santa Cruz County officials, who said they intend to push for California’s removal from the plan.
The federal proposal outlines three lease sales off Southern California in 2027, 2029 and 2030; two off Central California in 2027 and 2029; and one sale off Northern California in 2029. The agency must now open a 60-day public comment period before the plan can be finalized.
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California has not seen new federal offshore oil and gas leasing in decades. State and local officials have historically opposed new drilling, citing the state’s long-standing coastal protections and concerns about potential impacts on fisheries, marine life and tourism.
Supporters of the federal plan, including some energy-industry groups, say expanded leasing is needed to bolster domestic production and reduce reliance on foreign oil.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor Justin Cummings condemned the plan’s release.
“It is sickening to learn that the Trump administration has relaunched the outer continental shelf oil and gas leasing program, but not surprising,” Cummings said. “This is why we have been building a local government coalition to fight back against these efforts and fight back we will.”
The coalition — which traces its origins to a similar local-government coordination effort formed in 1980 — now includes Humboldt, Mendocino, Sonoma, Marin and Santa Cruz counties, along with the City of Santa Cruz. Additional cities and counties are expected to consider resolutions in the coming weeks.
Supervisor Kim De Serpa, who joined Cummings in opposing the federal plan, said she expects support from local governments across the state.
“We are standing shoulder to shoulder to fight against the administration’s plan to drill for oil off the entire coast of California,” De Serpa said. “I feel certain that supervisors in Central Coast counties and throughout California will stand together to protect our coastal waters, support our state and federal representatives, and stop this action. We continue to insist on protection of our coastlines and waters, our tourism industry and fisheries, and our marine mammals and all creatures in our Pacific Ocean.”
Interior officials have not indicated whether the agency plans to hold in-person public hearings, which have been standard in past leasing cycles. The draft plan could be revised after the public comment period concludes.
A coalition website is expected to provide updates and links for residents wishing to submit comments on the federal proposal during the upcoming review window.