FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2015
SAN PEDRO, CA – At a press conference held in Long Beach this week, Nanette Barragán commented on the devastating oil spill that recently occurred in Santa Barbara, which officials estimate released nearly 21,000 gallons of oil into the ocean and 101,000 total gallons of oil along the coastline. Barragán warned that this should be a lesson that we need to further embrace clean energy technologies that create green jobs.
“In Santa Barbara, the damage from the oil spill is significant, not only to the ocean and the beaches, but also to local businesses that operate near the coast. Close to home in Long Beach and other places in Southern California, black tar washed ashore, forcing the closure of beaches while experts worked to clean it up and figure out what happened.”
“From Santa Barbara down to Long Beach and beyond, people are worried about losing an economic engine. Our coastline provides revenue and jobs that are irreplaceable to our communities and businesses throughout Southern California and the 44th Congressional district, underscoring just how important it is to protect our oceans and beaches.”
“Spills like those in Santa Barbara, and the rising number of asthma and cancer in our communities, underscore why we need to move towards adding green, clean energy jobs to our communities. We need jobs that are long lasting and ensure cleaner air so our children don’t need to wear inhalers around their necks because of asthma caused from air pollution – a sight I’ve seen firsthand.”
“For those reasons, and many more, elected officials should not take a dime from oil companies. The companies responsible for the recent oil spills in Southern California and in the Gulf of Mexico years ago, or the many spills that happen every year, don’t need any more representation in Washington. They have plenty of people on their payroll to fight for them. The people of the 44th district need a champion for them – someone who grew up in the district and deeply understands their perspective. I will be that champion.”
Barragán was a leader in the fight against Measure O, a ballot measure that would have allowed oil companies to drill for oil in the Santa Monica Bay.
For more information, visit: www.barraganforcongress.com
###
