MEMORANDUM
TO: All Concerned Of Coastal Orange County
Seal Beach, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach
FROM: Dom Jones, Candidate for State Assembly AD72
DATE: March 8, 2024
SUBJECT: Proactive Measures in Response to Huntington Beach Oil Sheen Incident
I am writing to address a matter of immediate concern that affects our community – the recently reported 2.5-mile-long oil sheen, 1.5 miles off the coast of Huntington Beach, yet again. In less than 2 years our precious coastline has become hit once again by the awful crude oil platforms that are digging in our beautiful ocean that serves as a community Pool for all families to enjoy in magnificent coastal Orange County.
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Do we want to invite our friends to enjoy a day at the beach and bring our children to swim in oil? This hurts our tourist economy, our lifestyles, and our home values drastically. This MUST end.
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This incident highlights the urgent need for comprehensive action to protect our environment and the well-being of our residents.
Background:
As many of you are aware, the 1970s oil derricks and offshore platforms in the Huntington Beach area have been a source of ongoing environmental degradation. The recent oil sheen incident underscores the pressing need to reassess our reliance on these outdated structures and transition towards cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.
Immediate Action Steps:
In response to the Huntington Beach oil sheen incident, I am proposing the following immediate action steps:
1. Shutdown of 1970s Oil Derricks: I am a proponent of initiating a comprehensive plan to safely shut down and decommission the aging and highly dangerous oil derricks that pose a heightened risk to our coastal environment, health of our sea life and the health of our families and children. With of course careful consideration as to how this can be done to protect our most vulnerable environmental frontiers in our region.
2. Phased Decommissioning of Offshore Platforms: I encourage us to develop a phased approach to decommission offshore platforms, taking into account environmental impact assessments, laborer livelihood, economic considerations, and the safety of our coastal communities.
3. Transition to Renewable Energy: I will advocate for policies and incentives to accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, fostering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape.
4. Strengthened Regulatory Oversight: Collaborate with regulatory bodies to enhance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring strict adherence to environmental standards within the offshore drilling industry. We want to ensure that there is firm adherence to protection of our oceans.
Community Engagement:
I am committed to fostering open dialogue and collaboration with our community throughout this process. Your input, concerns, and ideas are invaluable as we work together to address this critical issue.
Stay Informed:
For a detailed overview of these proposed measures and our ongoing efforts, please stay attuned to my comprehensive and feasible plan, via the next memorandum update. This will help protect our coastal communities and bring economic prosperity while doing so.
It is essential that we stay informed and engaged in the collective endeavor to protect our environment and build a sustainable future for Orange County.
Your support in these crucial initiatives is vital, and I deeply encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback as we move forward. You can reach me through my team at [email protected]
Thank you for your dedication to the well-being of our community.
Sincerely,
Dom Jones
Your Future State Assemblywoman on November 8th, 2024
Candidate for State Assembly
