On October 21, 2025, the Board of Supervisors of the County of Santa Barbara (BOS) voted 3-2 to ban new drilling and begin phasing out all existing onshore oil operations.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Supervisors Laura Capps, Joan Hartmann, and Roy Lee for their courageous leadership in prioritizing community health, safety, and the environment. This decision was driven in part by concerns over public health impacts of oil and gas operations, including air and water pollution risks that threaten local communities. This vote confronts Santa Barbara’s legacy of oil pollution, marked by the 1969 spill. This historic decision makes Santa Barbara one of the first counties in California to use its new authority under AB 3233, which empowers local governments to limit or prohibit oil and gas operations.
“As California transitions away from its dependency on fossil fuels, more cities and counties have introduced ordinances to ban oil and gas operations. Assembly Bill 3233 uplifts the voices of our local communities by codifying their right to enact these policies,” —Assemblymember Dawn Addis
ForestWatch proudly supported this effort by writing letters of support, mobilizing hundreds of advocates, and teaming up with amazing partners like Climate First: Replacing Oil and Gas (CFROG), Community Environmental Council (CEC), Environmental Defense Center (EDC), Chance Alliance, UCSBEAB, and Sierra Club Santa Barbara.
With the Trump administration once again trying to open new federal oil and gas leases across the Central Coast, including right here in Santa Barbara County, this ordinance is more important than ever.
Background
In August 2024, the BOS adopted the Climate Action Plan, which directed staff to identify viable measures to cut emissions from oil and gas operations. Soon after, Governor Newsom’s signed AB3233 into law, giving counties the power to restrict or phase out these operations.
In May 2025, the Board directed staff to return by October with a clear framework for banning new oil and gas wells and developing a long-term plan to phase out existing operations. Staff were also asked to provide detailed cost estimates and timelines for conducting the necessary environmental impact review and amortization study, as well as an outline of the next steps, resources, and overall project scope needed to move the ordinance forward.
Understanding the Phase-Out
The BOS passed the staff recommendation to move forward in two phases:
Phase 1: Ending New Drilling
The first phase of the County’s oil and gas phaseout will focus on stopping all new drilling projects. County staff will update local laws to make sure that no new oil or gas wells can be approved anywhere in Santa Barbara County. This process will include public hearings and opportunities for community input and is expected to take about six months. Once approved, the new rules will be sent to the California Coastal Commission for final approval before taking effect in coastal areas. This step marks a major milestone—officially closing the door on new fossil fuel development in our region.
Phase 2: Phasing Out Existing Operations
The second phase will focus on setting a timeline to end existing oil and gas operations. To do this, the County will conduct an in-depth financial study to determine how long companies need to wind down their operations while meeting legal and economic requirements. That study will guide a future ordinance establishing a clear sunset date (not to exceed 20 years) for all oil and gas extraction in the County. This phase will also include a detailed environmental review and extensive community engagement. Altogether, this stage is expected to take several years to complete, ultimately paving the way for a full and fair transition away from fossil fuels in Santa Barbara County.
How You Can Stay Connected
As the process moves forward, the phaseout will likely receive strong pushback and opposition from oil and gas operators, including potential legal challenges from companies with existing permits in the region. Lending support for the phase-out through the different benchmarks is key to getting the ordinance to the finish line. Community input will be critical during public hearings to shape the phase-out process. Follow us via action alerts, social media, and newsletters to receive the latest information on what is happening at the local, state and federal level.