Coastal Commission Votes Against Southern California Offshore Fracking

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., August 13, 2026 — The California Coastal Commission unanimously objected today to an oil company’s proposal to frack 16 offshore wells at Platform Gilda in the Santa Barbara Channel. The commission cited oil spill risk and aging infrastructure as grounds for its objection. This is the first fracking proposal off the California coast in more than a decade.

“I’m so glad the commission rejected this risky fracking plan. Californians are lucky to have such a strong champion standing up for the health of our coast,” said Brady Bradshaw, a senior oceans campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity. “Offshore fracking would raise the risk of an oil spill off California’s coast, and that threat to our marine wildlife and beautiful ocean environment just isn’t worth it.”

The California Coastal Commission, under the Coastal Zone Management Act, has the authority to weigh in on whether federal proposals are consistent with state coastal protection policies. Earlier this week the federal government initiated a review of California’s authority, which could revoke the state’s ability to consult under the Act.

“The proposal to frack off of the Ventura coast violates state and federal law, threatens marine life, and puts the health of communities at risk,” said Maggie Hall, deputy chief counsel at the Environmental Defense Center in Santa Barbara. “As we have seen over and over again on the California coast, there is no safe way to drill for oil in the ocean, and fracking would only increase the danger. Thank you to the Coastal Commission for standing up for our coast.”

In March, DCOR, LLC submitted a proposal to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to use hydraulic fracturing at 16 wells at Platform Gilda off the coast of Ventura County.

Fracking has been prohibited in federal waters off California since 2018 and the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reaffirmed that moratorium in 2022. Until and unless the federal government complies with the Endangered Species Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, and the Coastal Zone Management Act, fracking remains prohibited off California.

“Offshore fracking and well-stimulation activities pose serious risks to our marine environment, coast, and communities,” said Ted Morton, executive director, Santa Barbara Channelkeeper. “The proposed fracking at Platform Gilda would place the ecologically productive Santa Barbara Channel at substantial risk from the injection of highly toxic chemicals at extreme pressure. We support the California Coastal Commission’s decisions today to defend our coast.”

This project would threaten the California coast with the risk of more oil spills and toxic fracking fluids in the ocean. The Santa Barbara Channel region is one of the most ecologically rich and important areas in the world and home to many sensitive species including endangered whales, sea turtles, seabirds, sea otters and fish. Not only would these species face the threat of an oil spill and other toxic substances, but water contaminated with fracking fluids could be discharged into the ocean.

Hundreds of concerned Californians have already commented publicly in defense of the Coastal Management Plan. A recent poll from the Public Policy Institute of California showed that 82% of adults believe the California Coastal Commission has been mostly good for California.

“A 45-year-old oil platform operates in our unceded waters, threatening our long-cherished maritime lifeways with offshore fracking,” said Mati Waiya, executive director of the Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation. “We celebrate the Coastal Commission for their thoughtful review and denial of this dangerous project. We will continue this undying fight for our culture and lifeways.”

“This decision is a win for every community along our coast,” said Katie Thompson, executive director of Save Our Shores. “We’re grateful to have a commission willing to hold the line on offshore fracking, especially as its authority is being challenged. This is exactly the kind of leadership California’s coast needs right now.”

“California’s coast is protected because strong institutions like the Coastal Commission give us a meaningful voice over development affecting our shoreline and ocean,” said Matt Koller, California offshore drilling campaign manager at the Surfrider Foundation. “California should not be forced to accept offshore fracking that threatens our wildlife, communities, and coastal economy, and the Commission's rejection of this proposal highlights its importance: ensuring that Californians have a say in how our coast is developed.”

“Far too often, Californians and our coast have paid the price for offshore drilling oil spills,” said Oceana field campaign manager Ashley Blacow-Draeger. “Offshore fracking would risk even more spills by extending production, jeopardizing the extraordinary wildlife and valuable fisheries off our shores. Oceana applauds the Coastal Commission’s decision, which continues to uphold public trust values, environmental and cultural resources, and the state’s coastal economy.”


The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.8 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

The Environmental Defense Center defends nature and advances environmental justice on California’s Central Coast through advocacy and legal action. Since 1977, EDC has represented more than 140 nonprofit, community-based organizations to protect the Central Coast and the Earth’s climate.

https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/coastal-commission-votes-against-southern-california-offshore-fracking-2026-08-13/