Statement: Oil sheen off the coast of Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – A new report has been issued of a 2 mile wide oil sheen off the coast of Huntington Beach in Orange County from another possible oil spill. The Coast Guard has indicated that it is not natural causes and investigations are underway. 

Environment California State Director Laura Deehan issued the following statement:

“Oil spilled into the ocean near Huntington Beach is another stark and dark reminder that oil is dirty, dangerous, and can make our air and water too toxic for life.

“This is the same area that was harmed by a devastating oil spill more than two years ago.  Huntington Beach and the nearby Talbert Marsh wetlands are home to vibrant birdlife, including great blue herons, pelicans and endangered California least terns, which migrate up the Pacific Coast. The coast is also the habitat for myriad non-avian marine life, from fish that we eat, such as tuna and sea bass, to sea turtles, dolphins and whales. Oil spills threaten all of the wildlife in this coastal ecosystem. It’s time to leave this polluting industry in the past.”

Environment America Protect Our Oceans Campaign Director Kelsey Lamp issued the following statement:

“Oil spills have long-lasting consequences. Harm from oil leaks persists for years. We cannot forget that no matter what stage in the process — from extraction and refining to transportation and its use in cars — oil is dirty and dangerous to both our climate and our ability to simply breathe freely every day.

“We ultimately need to keep oil and gas in the ground, end offshore drilling and require stronger penalties for fossil fuel companies that are responsible for oil spills.”