Santa Cruz Leaders to Discuss Opposition to Offshore Drilling-Oct. 29
Published on October 27, 2025
City and County of Santa Cruz to Oppose Federal Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Plans
Press Conference Scheduled for October 29 at 10am on the Santa Cruz Wharf
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., October 27, 2025 — Local leaders from the City and County of Santa Cruz will hold a joint press conference on Wednesday, October 29, at 10:00 a.m. on the Santa Cruz Wharf stage to announce their unified opposition to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s proposed Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program.
“This is another chapter in a long fight with local communities standing up to powerful national interests,” said Mayor Fred Keeley. “Big Oil has deep pockets, but we have deep roots. Santa Cruz, with its fellow Monterey Bay jurisdictions, have proven time and again that when we stand together, we can protect our coast from those who see it only as a profit center.”
The federal proposal would open portions of the California coast, including areas adjacent to existing marine sanctuaries, to new offshore oil and gas drilling and seabed mining for the first time in decades.
The City of Santa Cruz, in partnership with Save Our Shores, elected officials, environmental advocates, and community leaders, will reaffirm the region’s long-standing commitment to protecting the California coastline and the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. By supporting the re-establishment of the Local Government OCS Coordination Program, the City will join other jurisdictions in opposing the federal proposal and commit to strengthening local policies that prevent offshore oil and gas development and seabed mining in the Monterey Bay.
Press Conference Details
Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Stage on the Santa Cruz Wharf
Parking: Free parking available until 11:30 a.m.
Program Participants:
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City of Santa Cruz Mayor, Fred Keeley
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Congressman Jimmy Panetta
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Senator John Laird
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Lisette Jones from Assemblymember Gail Pellerin’s Office
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Santa Cruz County Supervisor, Justin Cummings
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City of Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson
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Katie Thompson, Executive Director, Save Our Shores
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Dan Haifley, Local Governments Opposed to Offshore Drilling
In the 1980s, the City of Santa Cruz, together with Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, helped lead the formation of the Central Coast OCS Regional Studies Program, which united local governments, scientists, and the public in opposing federal offshore drilling proposals. These efforts played a crucial role in securing the creation of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and in protecting coastal economies and marine ecosystems.
Today, that legacy is once again being tested. The Department of the Interior’s draft 11th National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program identifies new lease areas along the California coast, including within established marine sanctuaries, for potential oil and gas extraction.
In response, both the Santa Cruz City Council and the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors have taken strong, formal positions opposing the federal plan.
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On June 10, 2025, the City Council unanimously reaffirmed its prohibition of offshore drilling and directed the Mayor to send a letter of opposition to federal officials.
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On June 22, 2025, the County Board of Supervisors launched a coordinated local government initiative to strengthen opposition statewide, engaging longtime coastal policy expert Richard Charter and environmental organization Save Our Shores to lead the effort.
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On September 30, 2025, the City Council indicated its support for Santa Cruz County’s commitments to oppose the federal offshore drilling proposal and agreed to join the local coordination effort.
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