Santa Barbara Nonprofit to Testify at Congressional Hearing in Washington DC on California Energy Independence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Santa Barbara Nonprofit to Testify   at Congressional Hearing in Washington DC   on California Energy Independence:  Domestic Opportunities to Reverse California's Growing Dependence on Foreign Oil SANTA BARBARA, CA  -  Alice Green, a Member of the Board of Directors of SOS (Stop Oil Seeps) California, has been invited to testify before the House Committee on Natural Resources in Washington on April 4th about the "domestic opportunities to reverse California's growing dependence on foreign oil."  Ms. Green, an environmental consultant with an undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Pennsylvania and a Masters Degree in Marine Resource Management from Texas A&M, writes a blog (www.californiaoil.blogspot.com) relating to offshore energy production, policy issues and resource management. In her testimony, Ms. Green will outline the environmental damage caused by natural oil and gas seep pollution in the Santa Barbara Channel and the economic impact from the unrealized revenue that basically washes away every day.  She will also summarize current knowledge surrounding the potential benefits of developing the offshore oil and gas reserves, referencing the fact-based research in the SOS California Supporting Documentation provided to the committee. Topics will include: How peer-reviewed studies have proven that extraction of oil and gas resources is responsible for reductions in coastal oil seepage pollution, resulting in cleaner beaches and cleaner air in Central California How exploration and production of offshore reserves can be conducted in an environmentally safe manner A forecast that by 2020 California will be importing 80% of its oil from foreign sources How expanded offshore production in California would dramatically reduce the impact of oil imports and oil tanker transportation in California waters A 2013 study by the California Economic Forecast which outlines how permanently lifting the moratoria and allowing production in state and federal waters offshore California would produce broad economic benefits including more than 100,000 high-paying technical new jobs How potential new offshore oil and gas royalty revenues can fund the transition to a renewable energy infrastructure Testimony and Supporting Documentation will also provide information on energy projects proposed for the OCS and state waters along the Santa Barbara County coast. CONTACT: Judy Rossiter 805.969.9259 SOS California is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of natural gas and oil seep pollution upon our ocean, our beaches and our air quality through education and awareness. SOScalifornia.org Blog: California Oil