Thank you very much for writing and sharing this excellent article, this is the best explanation of the Sable Oil situation that I have read to date. Please continue to update us as this information is valuable and trustworthy.
We are importing the exact same crude from the Amazon basin to refine here, so that we don’t have to retool refineries. So we are enriching foreign nations in South America while we sit on our on gold mine of the same exact oil, killing jobs and revenue here.
And for what? To increases CO2 emissions by shipping it here, going against their entire argument in the first place.
Norway is a liberal progressive, environmentally-conscious, nation that drills in the North Sea, a much harsher environment. They have high safety standards. The oil revenue has made their country wealthy. They have a sovereign oil wealth fund that’s up to $1.5T that pays for everyone’s college, etc. Imagine removing something like state property taxes with an oil fund here! Imagine CA flooding the world market and ruining Putin’s ability to war on Ukraine! Imagine fuel prices at half of what they are today!
Nothing we are doing in CA makes any sense. We use the oil anyway, pay more for it, make ourselves less wealthy, less jobs, and do it with increased emissions.
I saw a statement from UCSD saying that 75% of new admissions can’t do basic algebra. That may explain everything here in CA...
All excellent points, Bob Smith. Keep them well in front in the upcoming public debates on these critical issues.
Thank you for broadening our necessary local conversations. Their current one-note cacophony has been oppressive. Fresh air on these topics is far more life-affirming than the continued hegemony of "climate change" lies.
Thank you, Mike for your clear summary of the dilemma’s regarding oil production in our community. If one were optimistic theywould think that Newscum might wake up and do something as you suggest. The cynical point of view is that the anti-oil people will create a problem that is even worse than what they are trying to stop. Let’s hope for cooler heads to prevail, however, Santa Barbara is not a county known for that.
Thank you for bringing facts and history to this topic, since "environmentalism" is being used cynically as a cudgel to bring Gen Z back into the Democrat tent. The zero tolerance "environmental groups" have been repressive, regressive and unopppsed for far too long.
Correct me if my calculations were wrong, but the recent Refugio pipeline line leak amounted to no more than a few swimming pools of released oil. A natural substance that continues to leak naturally to the surface all over this local area on land and sea.
Yet the media hysteria about this "oil spill" materially depressed local tourism over fifty miles away. While our own Congressional rep was sitting on the House oil pipe line safety sub- committee, apparently ineffectual in its charged mission.
What was the final All-American pipeline clean up costs they willingly paid, that even included scrubbing individual rocks with toothbrushes?
I have identified the problem. The problem is that California needs to supply oil to its refineries. The obvious solution is to close the refineries in California. 😊. Berney
Of course the issue of off shore treatment is a perfect example of Calif. it's my way or the highway. But then again Sacramento wants to kill the highways as well.
There is fast approaching technology that will use atmospheric carbon capture to produce liquid and gaseous fuels. Adding in in-expensive well stock will drive the costs down significantly. Then what will the nimby's do? Ah in Silicon Valley, the cost of gas 2 weeks ago was under $3.00 for the least octane gas.
It is going to be an interesting time to watch Sacramento, that is getting its you know what handed to them by the Fed's, trying to figure out why they are losing.
Oh, Mike one thing, quoting the Spanish don't forget to throw in the "baby." (grin)
Yes, the environmental Sandinistas are at it again. Led by their Shaman, Linda Krop, EDC Legal Counsel and UCSB employee, causing more pain at the pump and killing high paying jobs in the process. BTW, how is her dual roles as heading a NFP and state employee not a conflict of interest?
It’s almost like the tragic Refugio spill was the best thing that ever happened to the usual cast of characters, EDC, Sierra Club and Surf Rider. Why? Because it made them relevant again and donations from their “eco cult” have predictably soared.
No doubt, the assigned risk insurance companies must now bare are much higher with multiple tankers transporting oil back and forth, versus a well maintained and inspected pipeline. What about marine mammals that would be endangered by increased tanker traffic?
It appears Krop didn’t get the memo from the Trump administration, proclaiming “drill baby drill!” This, while their fearless leader, Gavin Newsom, has closed multiple refineries, which will undoubtedly lead to $9/gal gas. So much for “affordability,” and BTW, California was just giving an “F” in affordability!
Finally, it was revealed today of the Trump administration plans to re-open 3 Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, giving the consumers on the east coast relief from outrageous energy costs. While they’re at it, why not re-open San Onofre and do the same for the west coast?
I hope the county BOS thanks long and hard about this and shows some common sense for a change. Unfortunately, many of us have been hoping for a little common sense on that board for decades. The environmental movement seems to require doing a way with rational thought in order to be a devote. What ever happened to “follow the science“? Isn’t it ironic that most of these environmentalist are “educated“? They always leave me shaking my head.
We remain victims of the critical third district county supervisor swing vote.
Currently filled by third district Joan Hartman, who unfortunately always swings in favor of her Democrat south county colleagues. No longer splitting the Isla Vista vote into the third district as population numbers shift more to the north county and away from the south county, may change the future trajectory of county supervisor decisions.
I regret the county vote split failed a few decades back. It would have been better for all concerned had we parted company permanently. We are on two very different missions.
Point of clarification: I don't remember Linda Krop being an elected member of the County Board of Supervisors, but she has certainly been the leading lawfare obstructionist for the local environmental movement. Can't find a historical listing of county supervisors at this time to clarify this.
You wrote: " At the time, the environmental community, and environmental leaders, such as Linda Krop – a member of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, just as I was – ..."
Since the oil company pumping has been shut down, the natural seeping of oil from the ocean floor continues to leak as it has for millions of years. This translates into seeing tar on the bottom of my feet every time I go to the beach. When the oil had been pumped there was no tar on the beach. So, that makes me believe the problem of oil leaking is bigger when pumping the oil is turned off.
These offshore platform opponents want to replace them with hundreds of thousands of acres of solar panels across the deserts and wind farms that will disrupt the environment of the oceans. It’s a bad trade-off.
Thank you very much for writing and sharing this excellent article, this is the best explanation of the Sable Oil situation that I have read to date. Please continue to update us as this information is valuable and trustworthy.
We are importing the exact same crude from the Amazon basin to refine here, so that we don’t have to retool refineries. So we are enriching foreign nations in South America while we sit on our on gold mine of the same exact oil, killing jobs and revenue here.
And for what? To increases CO2 emissions by shipping it here, going against their entire argument in the first place.
Norway is a liberal progressive, environmentally-conscious, nation that drills in the North Sea, a much harsher environment. They have high safety standards. The oil revenue has made their country wealthy. They have a sovereign oil wealth fund that’s up to $1.5T that pays for everyone’s college, etc. Imagine removing something like state property taxes with an oil fund here! Imagine CA flooding the world market and ruining Putin’s ability to war on Ukraine! Imagine fuel prices at half of what they are today!
Nothing we are doing in CA makes any sense. We use the oil anyway, pay more for it, make ourselves less wealthy, less jobs, and do it with increased emissions.
I saw a statement from UCSD saying that 75% of new admissions can’t do basic algebra. That may explain everything here in CA...
All excellent points, Bob Smith. Keep them well in front in the upcoming public debates on these critical issues.
Thank you for broadening our necessary local conversations. Their current one-note cacophony has been oppressive. Fresh air on these topics is far more life-affirming than the continued hegemony of "climate change" lies.
Thank you, Mike for your clear summary of the dilemma’s regarding oil production in our community. If one were optimistic theywould think that Newscum might wake up and do something as you suggest. The cynical point of view is that the anti-oil people will create a problem that is even worse than what they are trying to stop. Let’s hope for cooler heads to prevail, however, Santa Barbara is not a county known for that.
Excellent breakdown. Onshore is way preferable than off shore.
I agree! Thanks for this excellent summary.
Thank you for bringing facts and history to this topic, since "environmentalism" is being used cynically as a cudgel to bring Gen Z back into the Democrat tent. The zero tolerance "environmental groups" have been repressive, regressive and unopppsed for far too long.
Correct me if my calculations were wrong, but the recent Refugio pipeline line leak amounted to no more than a few swimming pools of released oil. A natural substance that continues to leak naturally to the surface all over this local area on land and sea.
Yet the media hysteria about this "oil spill" materially depressed local tourism over fifty miles away. While our own Congressional rep was sitting on the House oil pipe line safety sub- committee, apparently ineffectual in its charged mission.
What was the final All-American pipeline clean up costs they willingly paid, that even included scrubbing individual rocks with toothbrushes?
Excellent article. Who would be the best people to forward this to? Will the Independent print it? May I forward to them?
SB Independent has pretty much already weighed in on this issue, touting Saint Linda as their favorite local heroine: https://www.independent.com/2025/01/22/linda-krop-the-lawyer-leading-the-fight-against-sable-oil/
Thanks. This is such a good article they should publish it.
Perfectly stated.… Sounds like an episode from Landman!👍
I have identified the problem. The problem is that California needs to supply oil to its refineries. The obvious solution is to close the refineries in California. 😊. Berney
Which is what they de facto just did, imposing onerous micromanaging demands.
Of course the issue of off shore treatment is a perfect example of Calif. it's my way or the highway. But then again Sacramento wants to kill the highways as well.
There is fast approaching technology that will use atmospheric carbon capture to produce liquid and gaseous fuels. Adding in in-expensive well stock will drive the costs down significantly. Then what will the nimby's do? Ah in Silicon Valley, the cost of gas 2 weeks ago was under $3.00 for the least octane gas.
It is going to be an interesting time to watch Sacramento, that is getting its you know what handed to them by the Fed's, trying to figure out why they are losing.
Oh, Mike one thing, quoting the Spanish don't forget to throw in the "baby." (grin)
Good rendition.
Yes, the environmental Sandinistas are at it again. Led by their Shaman, Linda Krop, EDC Legal Counsel and UCSB employee, causing more pain at the pump and killing high paying jobs in the process. BTW, how is her dual roles as heading a NFP and state employee not a conflict of interest?
It’s almost like the tragic Refugio spill was the best thing that ever happened to the usual cast of characters, EDC, Sierra Club and Surf Rider. Why? Because it made them relevant again and donations from their “eco cult” have predictably soared.
No doubt, the assigned risk insurance companies must now bare are much higher with multiple tankers transporting oil back and forth, versus a well maintained and inspected pipeline. What about marine mammals that would be endangered by increased tanker traffic?
It appears Krop didn’t get the memo from the Trump administration, proclaiming “drill baby drill!” This, while their fearless leader, Gavin Newsom, has closed multiple refineries, which will undoubtedly lead to $9/gal gas. So much for “affordability,” and BTW, California was just giving an “F” in affordability!
Finally, it was revealed today of the Trump administration plans to re-open 3 Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant, giving the consumers on the east coast relief from outrageous energy costs. While they’re at it, why not re-open San Onofre and do the same for the west coast?
I hope the county BOS thanks long and hard about this and shows some common sense for a change. Unfortunately, many of us have been hoping for a little common sense on that board for decades. The environmental movement seems to require doing a way with rational thought in order to be a devote. What ever happened to “follow the science“? Isn’t it ironic that most of these environmentalist are “educated“? They always leave me shaking my head.
We remain victims of the critical third district county supervisor swing vote.
Currently filled by third district Joan Hartman, who unfortunately always swings in favor of her Democrat south county colleagues. No longer splitting the Isla Vista vote into the third district as population numbers shift more to the north county and away from the south county, may change the future trajectory of county supervisor decisions.
I regret the county vote split failed a few decades back. It would have been better for all concerned had we parted company permanently. We are on two very different missions.
Point of clarification: I don't remember Linda Krop being an elected member of the County Board of Supervisors, but she has certainly been the leading lawfare obstructionist for the local environmental movement. Can't find a historical listing of county supervisors at this time to clarify this.
You wrote: " At the time, the environmental community, and environmental leaders, such as Linda Krop – a member of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, just as I was – ..."
https://x.com/realsbcurrent/status/1991012984307789975?s=46
Since the oil company pumping has been shut down, the natural seeping of oil from the ocean floor continues to leak as it has for millions of years. This translates into seeing tar on the bottom of my feet every time I go to the beach. When the oil had been pumped there was no tar on the beach. So, that makes me believe the problem of oil leaking is bigger when pumping the oil is turned off.
These offshore platform opponents want to replace them with hundreds of thousands of acres of solar panels across the deserts and wind farms that will disrupt the environment of the oceans. It’s a bad trade-off.