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Commununity Environmental Council (CEC) — SUCCESS: Santa Barbara County votes to stop new oil and gas wells

by Community Contributor • September 16, 2026 • Comments Off

SUCCESS: Santa Barbara County Votes to Stop New Oil and Gas Wells

Thank you for showing up and speaking out.

On September 15, the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to approve amendments to the Land Use and Development Code (LUDC) and Coastal Zoning Ordinance (CZO) that prohibit new onshore oil and gas wells countywide. This marks a major milestone for public health, environmental protection, and climate action in Santa Barbara and affirms that local governments can lead when federal protections fall short.

The vote reflects a commitment to cleaner air, healthier communities, and a future where fossil fuel extraction no longer threatens our neighborhoods.

It was made possible by a strong coalition of environmental organizations and community members who attended the meeting, submitted comments, shared their voices, and refused to let years of progress stall. Thank you for showing up and speaking out.

“Today’s vote is the result of decades of community advocacy and a clear vision for a future beyond fossil fuels. The good news is that we have a plan, and the plan is working. Again and again, Californians have shown that we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while building a stronger, healthier future. As federal protections are rolled back, local action like this becomes even more important. Santa Barbara County is continuing to move forward, not backward.”

— CEC CEO Sigrid Wright

The ordinance amendments have now passed their first reading and will return to the Board of Supervisors for a second reading. Following local approval, the amendments will be submitted to the California Coastal Commission for review before taking effect in coastal areas.

The next phase will focus on establishing a timeline to end existing oil and gas operations. The Board of Supervisors authorized staff to undertake an amortization study. This will determine the timeframe oil companies need to recoup investments, which will inform a long-term plan to sunset existing onshore oil operations.

Stay engaged with CEC — along with our partners at 805 Action, Climate First: Replacing Oil & Gas (CFROG), the Environmental Defense Center, Los Padres ForestWatch, and the Sierra Club Santa Barbara-Ventura Chapter — as we work to officially close the door on fossil fuel extraction in our region.

Read the Press Release

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Recognized as a 2020 California Nonprofit of the Year and a City of Santa Barbara Climate Hero, CEC is led by CEO Sigrid Wright, 2022 Congressional Woman of the Year. See our most recent impact report to learn how we are serving California’s Central Coast by advancing rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis.