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ExxonMobil plan rejected
President Biden bans Russian oil
Board of Supervisors denies trucking proposal for safety reasons
Executive order signed as invasion continues, gas prices skyrocket By DAVE MASON
INSIDE
NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Despite record-breaking gas prices, President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil imports on Tuesday — the 13th day of the invasion of Ukraine. “That means Russian oil will no longer be acceptable at U.S. ports and the American people will deal another blow to (Vladimir) Putin’s war machine,” President Biden said at the White House. He said the ban would likely mean a further increase in skyrocketing gas prices, but said the move was necessary to put further economic pressure on Russia. In addition to oil, the ban, which came in the form of an executive order signed by President Biden, extends to Russian liquefied natural gas and coal. The executive order also prohibits new U.S. investment in the Russian energy sector and bans Americans Please see BIDEN on A4
NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors nixed ExxonMobil’s proposal to truck oil along area roads due to what was seen as unmitigable safety impacts. The board denied the project in a close 3-2 vote during its weekly meeting Tuesday. Exxon had requested a development plan revision to install and operate a new oil tanker truck loading rack at the Santa Ynez Unit processing facility and transportation of crude oil from platforms Hondo, Harmony and Heritage to two receiving terminals in Santa Barbara and Kern counties. Some supervisors, including chair Joan Hartmann, expressed concerns about the
environmental impact of Exxon’s project. “Is this really the direction to go when we are facing a climate crisis? For my way of thinking, that is just not the case,” said Supervisor Hartmann. “In conclusion, it’s detrimental to the health and safety of the neighborhoods that this trucking would go by, and it’s not compatible with the surrounding areas, and the streets — particularly (State Route) 166 — and also the 101 are not designed for this kind of traffic.” Supervisor Das Williams said he anticipated the project would result in fatal traffic accidents, particularly along State Route 166. “I will support denial of the project simply because I cannot see how the safety impacts are Please see EXXON on A4
By KAITLYN SCHALLHORN NEWS-PRESS STAFF-WRITER
“I will support denial of the project (the trucking plan) simply because I cannot see how the safety impacts are mitigate-able,” said Supervisor Das Williams, shown above in a file photo.
Gov. Gavin Newsom propped up California as an inspiration for the rest of the country during his State of the State address Tuesday, vowing to tackle skyrocketing gas prices, alleviate the homeless crisis and foster transformative education. Gov. Newsom exuded confidence and optimism in the “California way,” his theme of the evening. He boasted California successfully mitigated COVID19 fatalities with shutdowns and mask mandates and welcomed new businesses even during the worst of the pandemic. He took dire situations — such as rising gas prices, the homeless crisis and increasing crime — and highlighted successful efforts while ensuring his administration will do more. “In the midst of so much turmoil, with stacking stresses and dramatic social and economic change, California is doing what we have done for generations, lighting out the territory ahead of the rest, expanding the horizon of what’s possible,” the governor
COURTESY PHOTO
Above are ExxonMobil’s Las Flores Canyon and POPCO facilities near Goleta. The company said recent events have shown the importance of energy independence.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his State of the State address on Tuesday.
said. Gov. Newsom promised he would submit a proposal to address the gas prices and “put money back in the pockets of Californians.” On the day of Mr. Newsom’s address, U.S. gas prices reached a record high with a national average of $4.17. In California, the average price climbed to $5.44. Republicans in the legislature have proposed placing a moratorium on the gas tax to offset the rising costs. Gov. Newsom didn’t unveil details of his plan to address fuel costs Tuesday, but Democrats have largely brushed off a gas tax pause, arguing it would be too detrimental to infrastructure projects. “At a time when we’ve been heating and burning up, one thing we cannot do is repeat the mistakes of the past by embracing polluters, drilling even more oil which only leads to more extreme weather, more extreme drought and more wildfire. What more evidence do you need than our own state,” Gov. Newsom said. Gov. Newsom said 58,000 unhoused people have been taken “off the streets” since the start of COVID. He said his administration is providing “unprecedented investments for cities and counties on the frontlines” when “just a few years ago, California lacked any comprehensive strategy.” “Our approach is to be neither indifferent to the realities of the present-day nor revert to the heavy-handed policies that have marked the failures of the past,” California’s chief executive said. “We’re funding local law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and solve more crimes. We’re bolstering the Attorney General’s Office, prosecuting organized theft rings and getting illegal guns off our streets.” But in cheerleading for California, Gov. Newsom, who Please see NEWSOM on A4
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WHITE HOUSE PHOTO
In announcing the U.S. ban on Russian oil imports, President Joe Biden promised he was taking steps to minimize the impact on gas prices.
Newsom touts ‘California way’ as he vows gas price relief
KENNETH SONG / NEWS-PRESS FILE PHOTOS
ExxonMobil’s three offshore platforms in Santa Barbara County, including Hondo, above, have been inactive since the Plains All American Pipeline Disaster in 2015.
By KAITLYN SCHALLHORN
The California Assembly passed a resolution from Assemblymember Steve Bennett, D-Ventura, in support of Ukraine. A2.
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