Senator Boxer Joins Local Group in Opposing Offshore Oil Drilling Off the Coast of California

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SENATOR BOXER JOINS LOCAL GROUP IN OPPOSING OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA

OXNARD, CA, August 15, 2005 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- Senator Barbara Boxer, a long-time crusader against offshore oil-drilling in California, has lent her voice in support of Stop Offshore Oil Drilling's efforts. Stop Offshore Oil Drilling is an Oxnard-based group of concerned citizens, political leaders, and environmental, conservation, and public health groups banded together to protect California's coastline and committed to protecting California's beaches from the threats of drilling.

The group is currently focusing its efforts on Venoco, Inc., which just last week confirmed it is reviewing plans to renew drilling off the coast of Oxnard.

"I am proud to stand with [Stop Offshore Oil Drilling] against the exploitation of our coast," Senator Boxer said. "I look forward to working [together] to meet our shared goals - a coast free from oil rigs and clean beaches for our children and grandchildren to enjoy for generations to come."

Despite the haunting memories of the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill that mobilized a community and a nation to oppose the expansion of offshore drilling, Venoco appears to be ignoring public concern over renewed activities at long-idled Platform Grace.

"We're reviewing the feasibility of [renewing drilling operations at Platform Grace]," Venoco spokesman Mike Edwards confirmed over the weekend in the Santa Barbara News Press. "The oil and gas business is all about economics," Mr. Edwards said earlier in The Los Angeles Times.

Mitchell Schwartz, spokesman for Stop Offshore Oil Drilling, stated that energy companies pushing to expand drilling off of California's coast are completely out of step with local communities.

"People of Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and other communities have been organized for years and are resolute in their opposition to actions that threaten our coastal communities. We believe that once residents hear about Venoco's intentions they will not be pleased."

Stop Offshore Oil Drilling is a broad and growing group of concerned citizens, political leaders, and environmental organizations banded together to defeat attempts to expand drilling operations off California's coast.

For more information, visit www.stopoffshoreoildrilling.com.

CONTACT:
Mitchell Schwartz
805-200-7507
www.stopoffshoreoildrilling.com

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