Hey, all.
Quick thing you could do for the environment (and democracy) over the weekend. Or Monday!
There's a bill, AB 3233, the Local Environmental Choice and Safety Act, that needs our full-throated help now!
What does it do?
AB 3233 updates language in the California Public Resources Code to clarify that local governments—cities and counties—have the right to ban, limit, or regulate oil and gas activities in their jurisdictions.
AB 3233 protects the rights of local governments to regulate and phase out oil and gas operations within their jurisdictions.
AB 3233 ensures that Big Oil can no longer intimidate local governments into stopping their efforts to protect health and safety by restricting oil and gas development.
AB 3233 also confirms that the state oil and gas regulator’s top priority must be health and the environment, not industry profits.
What can we do?
This bill will be heard by the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee on Wednesday, April 24th. Its passage is not a slam dunk. PLEASE call as many of the following legislators as you can before then. Bonus points if one is your rep. Many bonus points for working the whole list:
Cottie Petrie-Norris: (916) 319-2073 (Dem-73) Irvine/Costa Mesa
Lisa Calderon: (916) 319-2056 (Dem-56) S.E. LA/San Gabriel Valley
Damon Connolly: (916) 319-2012 Dem-12) Marin/Sonoma
Chris R. Holden: (916) 319-2041 (Dem-41) Pasadena/Claremont
Eloise Gómez Reyes: (916) 319-2050 (Dem-50) San Bernadino/Inland Empire
Miguel Santiago: (916) 319-2054 (Dem-54) Downtown LA, Boyle Heights
Pilar Schiavo: (916) 319-2040 (Dem-40) N.W. San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita
Philip Ting: (916) 319-2019 (Dem-19) SF, South SF, and Daly City
Jim Wood: (916) 319-2002 (Dem-02) Santa Rosa and North Coast
Rick Chavez Zbur: (916) 319-2051 (Dem-51) Santa Monica, West Hollywood
Here’s a call script to follow or improvise on:
“Hello my name is ___ and I am a voter and a resident of ____. I am calling to urge [Assembly member ____] to protect local democracy and vote YES on AB 3233. Oil companies are undermining the rights of local governments to protect their communities from oil and gas pollution. This bill reaffirms the rights of cities and counties to restrict oil and gas production in their area. It will protect public health, our climate, and local democracy. Please vote YES on AB 3233. Thank you!”
And then what?
Once AB 3233 gets through the Utilities & Energy Committee—and it will, if we flood the committee members with calls—the bill will go next to the Appropriations Committee and, assuming it passes, onto a full vote by all Assembly members by June.
GO TEAM!
Thanks!
Jess