Environmental Lawyers

Anyone who lives in Southern California or who appreciates the coastline from San Diego to San Francisco has seen the offshore oil rigs along the coast of Santa Barbara, Oxnard, Ventura and Long Beach. If you live in any of the other coastal cities such as Corona del Mar, San Diego, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach, La Jolla, Del Mar, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Carlsbad, Oceanside, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, Cambria or San Simeon you see something different – pristine beaches without offshore oil rigs. 

In the midst of America’s financial meltdown and on the same weekend as Congress put together a $700 billion bailout, Congress did away with a 26 year ban on offshore oil drilling to the dismay of environmentalists. The Drill Now movement and chants of “Drill, Baby, Drill” may have won a small skirmish on this environmental issue, but California will have the last word.

Despite the ban on offshore oil drilling, it is believed that such drilling, at least off the coast of California is unlikely to occur for many years, if ever. Democrats in Congress are already vowing to reinstate the ban when a new Congress takes their seats in four months. And political opposition, marine protection laws and almost certain lawsuits by environmental groups in California make offshore oil drilling an unlikely event.

First, there is a general belief of Californians, including the Governor, that the California coastline is an international treasure, not to mention a draw to tourists from around the world. Few politicians in the state would dare to jeopardize that treasure.

Second, a law passed by former Governor Pete Wilson already bans all offshore oil drilling in California out to three miles from shore.

Third, there are 300 miles of national marine sanctuaries along the California coast which ban oil drilling.

Fourth, nearly every coastal county in the State of California has enacted ordinances banning new oil pipelines, oil terminals and tanks in the State.

Fifth, environmental groups are already vowing to file lawsuits, and they could be joined by the California Coastal Commission.

While California has around 30 oil platforms off the coast of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Long Beach that were built in the 1950s, no new oil platforms have been built in over 50 years.

It is estimated that California has at least 10.5 billion barrels of oil offshore – about a year and a half of the nation’s yearly supply. This is comparable to the estimate of oil in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

But if anything, despite the oil crisis and the financial crisis, in light of global warming and calls for investment in alternative energies, Californians are becoming more and more environmentally aware. Any politician running on any platform (oil or not) based on drilling offshore at a risk to the California scenic coastline, will have a hard time being elected.

If you have an oil, natural resources, energy or environmental law issue in San Diego, Newport Beach, Irvine, Orange County, La Jolla, in the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Palm Springs or anywhere in Southern California, we have the knowledge and resources to be your California Energy Lawyer and your Ventura Environmental Attorney. Be sure to hire a California law firm with environmental law experience who can serve areas such as Los Angeles, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Anaheim, Irvine, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Newport Beach, Carlsbad, Corona del Mar, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Fullerton, Del Mar, San Diego, Orange County, San Luis Obispo, Buena Park, La Jolla, Oxnard, Ventura, La Quinta, and Santa Barbara so you are properly represented.

If you have a water law, oil, energy, natural resources or environmental dispute of any kind, call the Law Offices of R. Sebastian Gibson, or visit our website at http://www.sebastiangibsonlaw.com  and learn how we can assist you.

Originally published here.

The Impact of International Climate Change Policies is an authoritative, insider’s perspective on recent changes and upcoming developments in climate change law in the United States and abroad. Featuring partners from some of the nation’s leading law firms, these experts guide the reader through policies already set in place and those that may be implemented in the future. These top lawyers reveal their advice on managing the legal side of environmental policy, including advising clients, monitoring and enforcing policies, and understanding the basic components of climate change cases. These leaders discuss the countries and industries concerned with climate change and provide valuable insight into current and upcoming policies on big issues, including deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and the conservation of natural resources. Additionally, this book addresses the advancements the United States and the world have made in environmental law and the key goals to developing a global policy in response to climate change. The different niches represented and the breadth of perspectives presented enable readers to get inside some of the great legal minds of today, as these experienced lawyers offer up their thoughts around the keys to success within this rapidly changing area of law.Inside the Minds provides readers with proven business intelligence from C-Level executives and lawyers (Chairman, CEO, CFO, CMO, Partner) from the world’s most respected companies and firms nationwide. Each chapter is comparable to an essay/thought leadership piece and is a future-oriented look at where an industry, profession, or topic is heading and the most important issues for the future. Each author has been selected based upon their experience and C-level standing within the professional community.Chapters Include:1. Kevin M. Dempsey, Partner, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP – “The Intersection of Climate Change Policy and International Trade Law: Potential Conflicts and Solutions”2. Beth S. Dorris, Partner, Best Best & Krieger LLP – “Climate Change Policy Trends from a Lawyer’s Perspective”3. Robert L. Hines, Partner, Farella Braun + Martel LLP – “Looking to the UN Climate Change Convention in Copenhagen: Upcoming Developments in the Climate Change Policy Arena”4. Richard Saines, Partner and Chair of the North American Climate Change and Environmental Markets Practice, Baker & McKenzie LLP – “Changing Developments in Climate Change Law: Looking Ahead to Copenhagen and Beyond”5. Neal H. Weinfield, Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig LLP and Lisa M. Hodes, Director, U.S. Markets, The Gold Standard Foundation – “The Role of the U.S. in the International Climate Change Policy Arena”6. Jason S. Lichtstein, Shareholder, Akerman Senterfitt – “Looking Beyond the Kyoto Protocol: The Future of Climate Change Law and Policy”Appendices Include:Appendix A: Bali Action PlanAppendix B: Excerpts from the General Agreement on Tariffs and TradeAppendix C: Excerpts from the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing MeasuresAppendix D: Excerpts from the Agreement on Technical Barriers to TradeAppendix E: Excerpts from the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights

The Impact of International Climate Change Policies: Leading Lawyers on Counseling Clients, Navigating Recent and Upcoming Developments, and Recognizing … of Climate Change Policy (Inside the Minds)