Das Williams has dedicated his life to the protection of the coastal environment and working families. In 15 years he has done this in a variety of capacities: serving 4 years as legislative aide, 5 years teaching, 6 years on the Santa Barbara City Council, and working in over 26 elections for progressive candidates and causes. And, now, he's the CA35 State Assemblyman.
Showing posts with label Offshore Drilling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Offshore Drilling. Show all posts
Whether it's been walking precincts, phoning voters, taking part in our neighborhood teams or contributing; your efforts have been a crucial part of the success of this campaign. I am proud of how far we've come and what we've been able to accomplish together.
However, it's this final week when we expect my opponent and his supporters to make their most significant attacks against me. We are gearing up for what we expect to be a surge negative media directed at and against me -- funded by oil companies -- to try and steal the election.
I have had one goal and one goal only throughout my career: to end oil drilling permanently. I grew up on the Central Coast and, like so many others in this community, we have lived with the constant threat that oil drilling poses on a daily basis. Not only must we work to do everything possible to end drilling for the sake of the environment and public health and safety, but make a steady and persistent transition to a clean-energy future. As a legislative aide for former Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara, I helped write landmark legislation that ended the practice of transporting oil from oil rigs by tanker, therefore significantly reducing the risk of oil spills. I also helped craft a resolution calling on the federal government to terminate all offshore oil leases. As a city councilman I have staunchly opposed all oil development off our coast, including the current proposal by Venoco to build an onshore oil rig in the city of Carpinteria. Here in the city of Santa Barbara, we have had much success in transitioning to green, alternative energy sources and helping reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Since I was first elected in 2003, we have more than doubled the city’s use of renewable energy and created tough energy-efficiency standards.
“The disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has strengthened my resolve to bring an end to oil drilling and move towards a fossil free energy future that relies on clean renewable energy.
“In order to end our dependence on oil we need a comprehensive strategy that stops oil drilling and promotes clean renewable energy. At the City Council, my colleagues and I have strongly opposed new and existing oil drilling as well as created tough renewable energy and energy efficiency standards that have created jobs, reduced our dependence on fossil fuels and helped protect the environment.
“The proposed Tranquilion Ridge agreement would have brought an end to oil drilling on four platforms in fourteen years. Without it, oil drilling will now continue for at least another two generations. For four decades we have been unsuccessful in our efforts to stop existing drilling. In fact, the platform that caused the 1969 oil spill still operates to this very day. If we are going to end drilling we need to continue to do everything in our power to end our dependence on oil.”
"I support bringing an end to drilling. That has always been my goal. What has happened in the Gulf is exactly why we need to make that a reality as soon as possible."
Das supports bringing an end to offshore drilling. If you hear differently, someone isn't telling you the truth.
it's about PLANNING for energy alternatives...it's about WORKING toward energy self sufficiency....it's about TAKING initiative for positive change. It's about FORGING ahead to the future. It's all about the DOING. And Das is doing just that.
When it comes to oil drilling - Das' goal and record on this issue are clear - bring an end to oil drilling as soon as possible. As a legislative aid for Hannah-Beth Jackson, Das helped write the legislation that put an end to the practice of transporting oil from offshore rigs via oil tanker, hence, reducing the chance of an oil spill. Das also helped craft a resolution calling on the federal government to terminate all offshore oil drilling leases. On the City Council, Das has been vocal in his opposition to all oil drilling including the Paredon project.
The Louisiana disaster is a stark reminder of why we need to end drilling now. The proposal by the EDC would end drilling on 4 platforms in 14 years. Without that proposal, drilling will continue indefinitely and we will live with the threat of a disaster like the one in Louisiana for years to come.
Don't Let Big Oil Steal This Election
