California AG calls on Zinke to remove state from offshore drilling expansion

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra (D) on Tuesday called for Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to remove the state from a planned offshore drilling expansion after Zinke removed Florida from the proposed policy.

“California is also ‘unique’ & our ‘coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,’ ” Becerra tweeted. “Our ‘local and state voice’ is firmly opposed to any and all offshore drilling.”

“If that’s your standard, we, too, should be removed from your list. Immediately,” the California official wrote.

.@SecretaryZinke: California is also “unique” & our “coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver.” Our “local and state voice” is firmly opposed to any and all offshore drilling.

If that’s your standard, we, too, should be removed from your list. Immediately. https://t.co/T6W6JaPCPh

— Xavier Becerra (@AGBecerra) January 9, 2018

Zinke announced Tuesday that he wouldn’t allow offshore drilling in waters near Florida after meeting with Gov. Rick Scott (R) to discuss the governor’s objections to the policy.

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“President Trump has directed me to rebuild our offshore oil and gas program in a manner that supports our national energy policy and also takes into consideration the local and state voice,” Zinke said in a statement.

“I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver,” he continued. 

“As a result of discussion with Gov. Scott’s [sic] and his leadership, I am removing Florida from consideration for any new oil and gas platforms.”

Last week, Zinke announced a massive expansion of offshore oil and natural gas drilling off the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, including areas off of Maine, California, Florida and Alaska.

Scott quickly came out against the proposal, and 21 members of Florida’s congressional delegation wrote to Zinke on Tuesday asking him to remove the state from the plan.

Other governors of coastal states, including Virginia, have made similar requests to be removed from the plan, but Zinke has not ruled out any other states.