Crude oil slicks have appeared offshore Santa Barbara - are they due to natural seeps or the re-opening of a controversial pipeline?

Recent news reports of crude oil slicks appearing off of the Santa Barbara coast have alarmed many people. One such slick, nearing 200 feet long, has appeared near Butterfly Beach, offshore the wealthy community of Montecito. Other reports of numerous slicks further north have also been made. 

Butterfly Beach in Montecito, CA

Photo Credit: Niranjan Arminius

According to local and state government officials (the California Office of Spill Prevention and Response and Santa Barbara County), the oil contamination appears to be related to natural seeps. Further, there have been no reported releases from any crude oil wells or drilling rig operations in the area.

The presence of crude oil seeps in the area has been well documented. Early American Indians in the area were said to use crude to waterproof their canoes. The presence of such seeps was one reason significant offshore crude oil development occurred in the area.

However, earlier this year, over the objection of state and local officials, a nearby crude oil pipeline that had been shutdown following a disastrous crude oil spill in 2015 began processing crude oil once again on March 14, 2026. The source of the oil is production from existing offshore crude oil platforms.

Again, officials have concluded that the multiple reports of crude in the ocean appear to be due to natural seeps. But, is this just a coincidence or somehow related to the re-opening of the pipeline. We haven't seen anyone in authority speak to that yet.

What do you think?

CARB adopts changes to Cap-and-Invest Program to benefit consumers and business

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) updated its Cap-and-Invest Program (formerly known as Cap-and-Trade) last week. CARB asserts that the changes ensure that California maintains its path toward meeting its 2030 and 2045 climate targets while also supporting affordability for Californians, long-term investment in clean energy in the state, and helping industry by providing compliance support.

Photo Credit: CARB

The changes were made in response to economic impacts, volatile market conditions, global events, and federal disruption of incentives. As a result, CARB says these changes will maintain "environmental ambition" as well as easing financial pressures and helping to avoid additional costs for consumers.

Said CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez, 

“At a moment when climate policy is under attack and global economic upheaval is creating real uncertainty, this rulemaking is critically important for California. California has both an opportunity and a responsibility to lead with consistency. By moving forward today, we are responding to real affordability concerns while sending a clear and unwavering signal to the world that we remain committed to long-term investment in clean energy, good jobs, and healthier communities.”

Here are some key points from the adopted changes:

• Establishes more stringent allowance budgets to align with the 2030 and 2045 climate targets​: Guarantees the removal of 118 million allowances from allowance budgets, resulting in an 11% cap decline year-over-year for this decade and an average of 7% from 2031 to 2045.
• Dedicates 80% of allowances to directly benefit Californians: Provides $10 billion for electricity bill credits and maintains an estimated $8 billion for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
• Stronger support for California businesses and jobs: Doubles the Manufacturing Decarbonization Incentive Fund to $4 billion to support investment in California and help make up for the loss of federal incentives. Eligible entities include manufacturers – food processors, cement plants, and refiners, who make large investment upgrades that reduce emissions at their facilities and reduce future compliance costs.
• $800 million in added compliance support for industry: Enhances near-term stability, supports California businesses and jobs, and ensures no additional cost passthrough at the pump for consumers.

For more information on this program: Cap-and-Invest Program

EPA grants $15.7 million to address forever chemicals (PFAS) in Southern California water

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced new investments in Southern California to address water contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The funding totals $15.7 million and will be split among 7 different projects. This is in addition to EPA's previously announced investment of $77.257 million to address PFAS across California.

Photo Credit: Kings County.Gov (Fair use)

PFAS are commonly referred to as "forever chemicals" and are found in numerous common items. They have been known to cause cancer and fertility issues. They are sometimes found in stain resistant furniture, carpets, textiles, cosmetics, food packaging, cookware, and many other items. 

As stated by Acting EPA Pacific Southwest Region Administrator Michael Martucci, "EPA is laser focused on ensuring that every American has safe drinking water, and we’re proud to be providing the resources to make good on that commitment here in California. This federal investment will be key to our local partners’ efforts to tackle the threat of PFAS across Southern California."

The Southern California projects receiving federal funding are:

• $2,500,0000 to La Habra Heights County Water District to construct a PFAS remediation and treatment system at five groundwater wells.
• $1,750,000 to the Orange County Water District to install an innovative ion exchange treatment system at Santa Ana’s Wells 27 and 28, to ensure treated groundwater can be safely served to residents.
• $959,752 to the City of Riverside to modify the Palmyrita Water Treatment Plant for PFAS removal and to improve drinking water infrastructure.
• $2,100,000 to the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency to construct a new treatment facility to remove PFAS contaminants from groundwater at the existing S7 well.
• $959,752 to the Santa Margarita Water District to fund a preliminary design report for the new Ranch Water Filtration Plant and support the district’s effort to provide potable reused water.
• $959,752 to the City of South Gate to treat four wells affected by PFAS contamination that supply more than 50% of the City’s total water demand.
• $6,452,972 to the Western Municipal Water District to fund rehabbing, repairing, and replacing aging sewer lines to prevent the infiltration of PFAS-contaminated groundwater into March Air Reserve Base’s sewer system.

All evacuation orders lifted in Garden Grove, CA for the GKN Aerospace toxic chemical incident

This evening the Orange County Fire Authority announced that all evacuation orders related to the Garden Grove hazardous materials incident have been lifted.

Unified Command (Fire, Law, EPA, and County Health) have confirmed there is:

No chemical leak

No threat of explosion

No threat of fire

No risk to the public

The OCFA released this revised map:

Map Details:

Green shaded area on the map = Repopulation area

Red line = Road closure (Western between Chapman & Garden Grove Blvd.)

Red circle = An exclusion zone to allow hazardous materials teams to continue monitoring the tanks out of an abundance of caution (no residents affected).

The OCFA also announced earlier today that the tank temperature had stabilized at 92° F and that they had secured all of the other nearby tanks.

No further details are available at this time.