As we wrap up the year, our staff at the Environmental Defense Center is taking time to reflect on and celebrate the many victories we have won with our clients and partners for the health of our communities, our coast, and Earth’s climate. Thanks for your support that makes our work possible! We truly could not do this work with out you!
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California’s Central Coast
Led the effort to stop the restart of old oil platforms and facilities on the Gaviota Coast, including a defective pipeline responsible for the devastating 2015 Plains spill. Sable planned to resume operations in late 2024, but after lawsuits, a statewide advocacy campaign, and our work to document Sable’s unpermitted activities, the company has been charged with felonies and the restart has been delayed indefinitely.
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2. NO ZOMBIE PIPELINES LAW
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California
Worked with Assemblymember Hart to pass a new law making it harder for fossil fuel companies to bring long-dead oil and gas facilities back to life. The new law further complicates Sable’s plans to revive its failed pipeline extending from the coast to Kern county.
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3. BEES TO DEVELOPERS: BUZZ OFF
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Naples
Documented species of rare and protected bumblebees at Naples in support of our ongoing effort to stop potential development of dozens of mansions that would jeopardize public access and harm a fragile ecosystem.
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4. BLUE WHALES BLUE SKIES GOES STATEWIDE
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Pacific Ocean
Helped expand a program statewide that slows down cargo ships and protects great whales from fatal ship strikes. Started by EDC and our partners 10 years ago, the Blue Whales Blue Skies program has successfully reduced ship strikes and underwater noise pollution in the Santa Barbara Channel and has prevented thousands of tons of air pollution from cargo ships.
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Goleta
Mobilized 110 volunteers for our annual creek cleanup series to haul more than 8,000 pounds of trash, hazardous waste, plastic, old car parts, and other debris out of Goleta creeks, helping to protect water quality and endangered steelhead, pacific tree frogs, turtles, sycamores, and other species that call our creeks home.
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6. CALIFORNIA’S GALAPAGOS
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Carpinteria/Anacapa Island
Advocated to expand California’s network of magnificent underwater parks known as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). EDC proposed a new MPA off Carpinteria and expansion of an existing MPA near Anacapa Island to protect critical eelgrass essential to one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems in the world, often called the “Galapagos of North America.”
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Santa Barbara County
Successfully advocated alongside our partners for Santa Barbara County to end new oil drilling and phase out existing oil operations. The groundbreaking ordinance will have a profound impact on public health, including around Cat Canyon, where we are fighting an oil industry proposal to inject toxic wastewater beneath an aquifer that provides drinking water to more than 150,000 residents.
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8. A FIGHT FOR THE FOREST
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Los Padres National Forest
Opposed federal plans for an unprecedented commercial logging and chapparal clearing project in the Los Padres National Forest that would cover a massive area from Ventura County to Big Sur. On behalf of our client, we submitted a Community Alternative to the project that would protect important habitats, cultural resources, and untouched areas of the forest.
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9. THE DANGERS OF DIABLO CANYON
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San Luis Obispo County
Raised major concerns about the safety and environmental impacts of the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in objection to PG&E’s attempt to extend its life for another 20 years. This plant is built on multiple earthquake faults and causes enormous harm to the ocean, sucking in billions of gallons of seawater every day and disrupting the entire marine food web.
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10. SPOKE OUT AGAINST NEW OIL LEASING
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California Coast
Voiced early opposition to the Trump Administration’s plan for new oil and gas leasing on the entire Pacific Coast, especially in the Santa Barbara Channel. The plan puts California’s coast at risk of another catastrophic spill and threatens our resources, wildlife, economy, and way of life.
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Whether you attended a rally or hearing, wrote a letter to elected officials, gave a donation, attended one of our events, introduced a friend to EDC, or shared one of our emails or links on social media, your actions made a difference!
Thank you for your support of all this important work. We could not do it without YOU!
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