“I was encouraged to hear the Governor Elect say that dealing with the 36 leases and ending the possibility of new offshore oil drilling is one of the first issues he plans to work on,” said Capps.  “He indicated this will be an issue on which we can work together, in a bipartisan way, to make progress for the millions of California residents who do not want any new drilling of our coast.”

Last year, Capps was very supportive of the agreement between President George W. Bush and Governor Jeb Bush of a federal buy back of Florida’s oil leases.  She has consistently said the same protections to safeguard the environment and economy from the threats of new offshore oil drilling should be granted to the State of California.  

Today she added, “I am hopeful that the Governor Elect’s visit will spur negotiations between the Administration, the state, and oil companies on terminating the leases.  It is vitally important that all of the 36 leases are terminated and that no access is granted from existing platforms or leases that are currently being developed.  The Governor Elect should seize this opportunity to join with the majority of Californians in preserving our state’s environment and economy.”

Capps and her colleagues met with Schwarzenegger and presented him with another copy of a letter sent earlier this month from the California Democratic Congressional Delegation detailing the numerous state/federal issues the Delegation hopes to work on with the new Governor.  Capps also joined her colleagues in expressing commitment to secure federal emergency funds to address the Southern California wildfires.