The “remarkable precedent” Santa Barbara enviros use to shut down oil development is to advocate for slant drilling from a federal platform into state waters for the first time, the first such lease offered since the adoption of the California Sanctuary Act in 1969 [Letters, “Still Fighting,” 3/5/09, independent.com/tranquillonletter].

Increasing Platform Irene throughput from 7,000 barrels per day to 30,000 would multiply the likelihood of spills by four. State goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing alternative energy sources are not served by burning up our last offshore reserves just before the peak oil crisis hits home. Contributions for hybrid buses would not offset or eliminate new emissions from Tranquillon production, and therefore are not a net public benefit. End dates? Trust us, says PXP.

Federal officials are statutorily required to extract all oil from their leases, regardless of those who agree among themselves that 2022 sounds like a good time to quit. Backing an alternative energy economy will make new drilling infeasible, not backroom deals. Make no mistake, the State Lands Commission has our back on this one. — Jack Eidt, director of planning for Wild Heritage Planners, Los Angeles

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