Politicians, officials should take measured approach after oil spill
While the cleanup of the Refugio oil spill is progressing, albeit slowly, the politics of petroleum extraction have overtaken events on the ground. Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson and Assemblymember Das Williams have called for new rules for oil pipeline safety. In Ventura County, Supervisors Steve Bennett and Linda Parks have questioned the future of oil production Read More →
Beach closures take toll on Santa Barbara County businesses
The oil spill near Refugio State Beach dealt a financial blow to a handful of businesses with more revenue being lost every day. Although the total impact on Santa Barbara’s $1 billion tourism industry is likely to be offset by increased hotel stays by cleanup crews, there was no sign of relief for those directly Read More →
Cry grows to stop new oil production in Santa Barbara County
The Refugio oil spill cleanup will keep area beaches closed at least until June 4, the number of wildlife affected continues to grow, Canada de Alegria to Coal Oil Point fisheries are off limits and a geyser of negative national media attention has tarnished the region’s pristine reputation. The spill, which was the result of Read More →
Ojai Valley Community Hospital honored for emergency care
The national organization Women’s Choice Award: The Voice of Women has named Ojai Valley Community Hospital one of America’s best hospitals in California for emergency care. The Ventura County hospital received the honor for its exceptional patient care and treatment, making it one of six facilities across the state to receive the recognition. A member Read More →
Bigger fines needed to hold oil pipe owners accountable
It’s a case of business as usual for Plains All American Pipeline, which owns the pipe that ruptured near Goleta on May 19 and spilled an estimated 101,000 gallons of oil. About 21,000 gallons of oil flowed through a storm culvert under Highway 101 into the ocean, blackening area beaches and creating a 10-square-mile oil Read More →
Boxer, Feinstein, Markey demand answers over SB County oil spill
U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-CA, Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, and Edward J. Markey, D-MA, on May 28 sent a letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration calling for more information about the rupture of a pipeline The senators wrote, “Following one of the most devastating oil spills in California history, we need answers about Read More →
