The ‘Stand Up, Save Our Coast’ people’s hearing will take place tonight at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, where community members will voice their opposition to a federal proposal for new oil and gas drilling leases off the California coast.This event stems from a draft released on Nov. 20 of last year by the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, proposing six new drilling leases in federal waters over the next five years. If approved, it would open state waters to the first oil and gas leases in 40 years. The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceana, and Save Our Shores are hosting the forum to provide a platform for public opposition to the proposal. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, share testimony, and submit written comments.Elected officials from Monterey and Santa Cruz counties will also speak at the event.”Right now, there are no pros to having oil drilling, just because we are in a fight against rapidly increasing climate change, and the further extraction of fossil fuels by opening up oil rigs will just further increase the detrimental impacts of climate change that we’re seeing right here in Monterey Bay,” said Katie Thompson, Executive Director of Save our Shores. “We’re really encouraging no further extraction of fossil fuels, starting with no further oil rigs right here in Monterey Bay.”Organizers say the plan threatens coastal communities, wildlife, and local economies, increasing the risk of oil spills and expanding fossil fuel development that they say isn’t necessary.The federal government hasn’t scheduled any hearings to gather public comment, which is why local groups are now hosting these hearings to make sure voices are heard.The meeting is happening tonight at 6 p.m. in the Bonsai Ballroom at the Portola Hotel and Spa. Public comments on the draft have to be submitted by Jan. 23.Click here for more information.

The ‘Stand Up, Save Our Coast’ people’s hearing will take place tonight at the Portola Hotel and Spa in Monterey, where community members will voice their opposition to a federal proposal for new oil and gas drilling leases off the California coast.

This event stems from a draft released on Nov. 20 of last year by the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, proposing six new drilling leases in federal waters over the next five years.

If approved, it would open state waters to the first oil and gas leases in 40 years.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium, Oceana, and Save Our Shores are hosting the forum to provide a platform for public opposition to the proposal.

Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, share testimony, and submit written comments.

Elected officials from Monterey and Santa Cruz counties will also speak at the event.

“Right now, there are no pros to having oil drilling, just because we are in a fight against rapidly increasing climate change, and the further extraction of fossil fuels by opening up oil rigs will just further increase the detrimental impacts of climate change that we’re seeing right here in Monterey Bay,” said Katie Thompson, Executive Director of Save our Shores. “We’re really encouraging no further extraction of fossil fuels, starting with no further oil rigs right here in Monterey Bay.”

Organizers say the plan threatens coastal communities, wildlife, and local economies, increasing the risk of oil spills and expanding fossil fuel development that they say isn’t necessary.

The federal government hasn’t scheduled any hearings to gather public comment, which is why local groups are now hosting these hearings to make sure voices are heard.

The meeting is happening tonight at 6 p.m. in the Bonsai Ballroom at the Portola Hotel and Spa.

Public comments on the draft have to be submitted by Jan. 23.

Click here for more information.