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Trump admin proposes offshore drilling; CA officials, environmentalists balk
NO. 251
VOL. 14,
Residents launch effort to recall Arcadia Councilman David Fu By Joe Taglieri joet@beaconmedianews.com
By City News Service
Arcadia City Councilman David Fu. | Photo courtesy of the city of Platforms Ellen and Elly offshore near Long Beach. | Photo courtesy of Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement BSEE / Flickr PDM 1.0
F
ollowing through on earlier pronouncements, the Trump administration announced Thursday it will reopen ocean waters off the Pacific Coast to oil drilling leases, generating rapid opposition from California officials and environmentalists. The announcement by the U.S. Department of the Interior called it an effort to address the nation’s “growing energy needs” and “boost United States energy independence and sustain domestic oil and gas production.” The directive calls for the potential lease of 34 offshore drilling sites between 2026 and 2031 -- 21 off the coast of Alaska, seven in the Gulf of Mexico and six along the Pacific Coast. “Offshore oil and gas production does not happen overnight. It takes years of planning, investment, and hard work before barrels reach
the market,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement. “The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America’s offshore production. By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America’s offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come.” According to the department, a 60 public-comment period on the proposal will begin when it is published in the Federal Register on Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom called the proposal “idiotic” and said it “endangers our coastal economy and communities and hurts the well-being of Californians.”
“This reckless attempt to sell out our coastline to his Big Oil donors is dead in the water,” Newsom said in a statement. “Californians remember the environmental and economic devastation of past oil spills. For decades, California has stood firm in our opposition to new offshore drilling, and nothing will change that. We will use every tool at our disposal to protect our coastline. It’s interesting that Donald’s proposal doesn’t include the waters off Mar-a-Lago.” California Attorney General Rob Bonta also blasted the proposal. “Time and again, President Trump has shown that his interest lies with his Big Oil friends profiting at the expense of our environment and public health,” Bonta said See Offshore drilling Page 05
in a statement. “California takes our responsibility to steward our environment and natural resources seriously -- we are not a rich man’s playground, and the president cannot come and extract resources as he pleases. “California will not stand by while the Trump administration marches in and make a mess of our coastal towns and waterways in order to line the pockets of its wealthy friends. The livelihoods of millions of Californians depend on the economies and industries supported by our coastal areas. My office stands fully opposed to this plan and is committed to protecting California’s natural resources.” Orange County Coastkeeper also rejected the proposal. “New drilling means
Arcadia
A
rcadia residents upset with a recent censure against current Mayor Sharon Kwan that was led by Councilman David Fu launched a campaign Monday to remove him from office. A petition signed by 81 residents seeks approval from city and county authorities to begin collecting signatures for a recall election. Fu is a first-term council member elected in November 2024 and represents Council District 1. The district extends northward from Duarte Road into hillside communities above Foothill Boulevard, with Santa Anita and North Fifth avenues serving as western and eastern borders. Recall proponents say their effort stems from Fu’s alleged “pattern of retaliation, misuse of authority, fiscal recklessness, and disreSee Arcadia recall Page 32
gard for the City Charter,” according to a notice of intent submitted Monday. At the Aug. 19 council meeting, Fu initiated efforts to censure and remove Kwan. According to recall proponents, the next day Kwan was scheduled to meet with an investigator regarding a sexual harassment complaint she filed against Fu. “The timing raises serious concerns of retaliation and abuse of power,” the notice document states. Residents seeking Fu’s removal contend he “brought accusations against the Mayor despite no proof and no public demand for a censure.” Fu along with Councilmen Paul Cheng and Dr. Michael Cao then called for a special meeting on Aug. 26, which recall proponents