Jane Fonda to push for end to offshore oil drilling in California

Actress and environmental activist Jane Fonda will join California state lawmakers on Monday to call for an end to all offshore oil drilling.

The award-winning actress will be joined by California state Sens. Dave Min (D) and Henry Stern (D), as well as California Assembly member Petrie Norris, according to an advisory sent out from the advocacy group Social Compassion in Legislation.

“Laguna Beach welcomes Jane Fonda to help shine a spotlight on the detrimental effects of the oil industry on our coastal towns, environment, marine and wildlife, as well as our local economy,” the advisory said.

Offshore oil drilling was given a new spotlight this month after a major oil spill off the coast last weekend.

In a news conference last Thursday, the U.S. Coast Guard estimated that at least 24,696 gallons of oil was discharged in the incident, or 588 barrels. Under the worst case, the maximum discharge would be 3,144 barrels, which would come out to about 131,000 gallons.

Members of California’s Democratic congressional delegation decried the oil spill, and said it was a signal to either limit or halt offshore drilling.

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced the Ocean Protection Act, which would permanently ban oil and gas drilling in federal waters off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.