Government Gears Up for Oil Lease Eco-Check Off California Coasts
Published Date: 2/27/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is getting ready to study how new oil and gas lease sales off California’s coast might affect the environment. This affects people in Northern, Central, and Southern California, with lease sales planned soon that could bring changes to local communities and ecosystems. They want your thoughts by March 30, 2026, as they plan these sales and figure out the best way forward.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Environmental and Local Economic Effects Possible
BOEM says the PEIS will analyze potential adverse or beneficial impacts on air and water quality, marine and coastal wildlife, and socioeconomic factors. The notice also lists impacts from routine emissions, noise, habitat disturbance, and accidental releases, and notes that socioeconomic changes could result for coastal communities and industries.
Lease Sales Could Open Offshore Oil Production
BOEM proposes lease sales covering all available Outer Continental Shelf blocks offshore California — 11,876 whole and partial blocks covering about 26.2 million hectares (approximately 65 million acres). The Draft Proposed Program includes one proposed sale in Northern California, two in Central California, and three in Southern California, and BOEM says leases could facilitate exploration, development, and production of oil and gas that could help meet national energy needs.
Limited-Access Alternative Near Existing Infrastructure
One alternative the PEIS will analyze (Alternative C) would limit lease sales to blocks that could be developed from existing offshore infrastructure, which BOEM says exists only in the Southern California Program Area where over 1,650 exploratory and development wells have been drilled historically. Under this alternative, lease areas would be reduced to locations near existing infrastructure, potentially reducing the need for new pipelines or onshore processing facilities.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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