Governor Newsom Signs Pivotal Bill to Protect California’s Coast from New Offshore Drilling
AB 1448 blocks federal efforts to use existing oil and gas infrastructure for new drilling
Press Release Date: September 29, 2026
Location: SACRAMENTO, Calif.
Contact:
Cory Gunkel | email: cgunkel@oceana.org | tel: Cory Gunkel
Today, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law additional protections against federal efforts to expand offshore oil and gas drilling off California’s iconic coastline.
Assembly Bill (AB) 1448, by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara), makes it illegal to use existing infrastructure like oil rigs and pipelines in California’s state waters to support any new offshore oil. It also bolsters the state’s authority over existing leases. The legislation passed the California Senate on August 26 and the California Assembly on August 27.
The new law comes as the Trump administration has proposed opening California’s entire coast for offshore oil and gas drilling despite overwhelming opposition from the state. California banned drilling in state waters more than three decades ago, and no new federal leases have been issued since 1984.
The federal government has also initiated a review that could potentially weaken the authority of the California Coastal Commission, which reviews projects that could impact the coast, including offshore drilling.
Senators Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), and Henry Stern (D-Los Angeles), along with Assemblymembers Dawn Addis (D-Morro Bay) and Damon Connolly (D-San Rafael) co-authored AB 1448.
Oceana, Center for Biological Diversity, and Environmental Defense Center co-sponsored the bill.
“California has drawn a powerful line in the sand to further defend the state’s right to protect its coast from federal offshore oil drilling,” said Oceana Campaign Director Joseph Gordon. “State law now prohibits any use of aging infrastructure for new offshore drilling that would risk catastrophic oil spills off California’s coast. California’s beaches, coastal communities, and multi-billion-dollar economy depend on oceans free of oil spills, both now and for future generations. Oceana commends Governor Newsom, Assemblymember Gregg Hart, state and local lawmakers, and the public who all helped make this important legislation a reality.”
“As the federal government rushes to violate the more than 40 year old, bipartisan, consensus against new offshore oil drilling, California needs to be prepared to respond,” said Asm. Gregg Hart. “AB 1448 puts clear safeguards in place to ensure that state infrastructure cannot be used to support new federal offshore oil development. I’m proud to have carried this critical legislation and to see it now signed into law.”
“California has worked for decades to protect our coast from expanded offshore oil drilling, and this new law strengthens those protections,” said Sen. John Laird. “From the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to our fishing, tourism, and recreation economies, a healthy coast is essential to the communities and jobs that define the Central Coast. I’m proud to have coauthored this important safeguard.”
“California has long opposed expanded offshore oil drilling because it endangers our ocean waters and coastal economy. Oil spills are devastating, and the only way to prevent them from occurring is to stop offshore oil drilling,” said Sen. Catherine S. Blakespear. “I thank the Governor for signing AB 1448 to prohibit the use of existing state infrastructure to support new federal offshore oil and gas development. This bill strengthens California’s environmental protections, improves public oversight and helps ensure the state’s coastline remains protected for future generations.”
“The Central Coast of California has suffered the consequences of offshore drilling for more than a century—oil poisoning the ocean, dead animals washing up on the beach, businesses closed, and lives disrupted,” said Linda Krop, Chief Counsel for the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara. “As the existing platforms age far beyond their intended lifespans, and as the current federal administration attempts to override environmental and safety laws and enable dangerous projects like the Sable pipeline, the threat of another major spill on our coast is becoming even more dire. It’s time to move past this destructive industry and make it clear that California will not stand for new drilling in our waters.”
The action is consistent with new polling released in July by the Public Policy Institute of California, which found that 63% of Californians oppose allowing more oil drilling off the coast.
The ocean economy contributes more than 500,000 jobs and $51 billion to California’s gross domestic product. Commercial and recreational fishing in California annually supports thousands of jobs and generates nearly billions of dollars in economic activity. California is also home to the largest concentration of military forces in the nation, including more than 30 major installations and 200,000 active-duty and reserve personnel. The Southern California coast supports some of the military’s most critical training and readiness activities, including multiple offshore range complexes and testing areas that span more than 156,000 square nautical miles.
To learn more about AB 1448, visit here.
