With the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico earlier this year -- even 16 miles of oil coming ashore in Louisiana this past weekend -- a closer and more critical eye is being kept on the industry across the country. Northwest of Los Angeles are 20 oil drilling platforms in the Santa Barbara Channel, which over the past six years have seen more than 1,200 government inspections. more ›

Three months after the Gulf oil spill, a survey finds a large increase in opposition against offshore drilling, finds the latest poll (.pdf) from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), which features a variety of environmental issues. Last year, a poll found that 43% opposed, 51% were in favor of it. Now 59% oppose and 36% are in favor. more ›

Half a dozen Los Angeles music venues are hosting benefit concerts tonight as part of the global Gulf Coast Benefit Concerts. Proceeds from all participating venues will be donated to The Gulf Restoration Network, a nonprofit committed to uniting and empowering people to protect and restore the natural resources of the Gulf Region for future generations. more ›

A large group of people gathered at Santa Monica Beach today to take a stance against the oil industry. First a movement last February against offshore drilling in Florida, Hands Across the Sand became international today -- thanks to heightened awareness after the Gulf oil spill -- with some 650 events today. Many of those took place in California, including Santa Monica, Venice, Malibu and Long Beach. more ›

The damage done by the Gulf oil spill is horrendous, claiming the unfortunate top spot as the worst environmental disaster in American history. Although land spills have very different effects on the surrounding area, ChartBin, via California Watch, reminds us that the largest recorded oil spill actually took place in California in Kern County, L.A. County's northern neighbor. In March of 1909, a well head that blew out, begetting the Lakeview Gusher, and spewed 1,227,600 tonnes of oil over 18 months (yes, it took that long to stop). To compare, the Santa Barbara oil spill of 1969 released 14,000 tonnes into the ocean. Today, numerous agencies regulate oil drilling in California. Also: If the BP Oil Spill was Centered in L.A., It Would Look Like This. more ›

The news last week was abuzz with how the massive oil spill in the Gulf would impact President Barack Obama's plans for offshore drilling. There's no final word from the White House on the issue yet, but Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger gave his today. more ›

Hermosa Beach won a ruling last month from the Second District Court of Appeal, allowing them to have the “discretionary power” to deny oil-drilling permits, but they still stand a chance to lose in the end. At issue is a 1.3-acre property owned by Macpherson Oil Company, which wants build up to 30 oil drills and other related infrastructure. The court decision throws back the final decision to a jury, but finding that too risky, city officials are petitioning the California Supreme Court to end the battle. “This appeal seeks to end the oil company’s 11- year legal fight to strip away the most fundamental of a city’s rights and obligations - the right and obligation to protect the health and safety of its residents,” Mayor Michael DiVirgilio said today. If Hermosa loses, the oil drilling could proceed and the city could be liable for $700 million, 20 times the city budget. more ›

During a rare Northern California appearance on Monday, the increasingly bizarre and camera-whorish Sarah Palin opened her mouth, with self-consciously controversial results. It all happened at a media-banned logging conference in Redding, a town of 90,000 north of Sacramento, the former VP candidate "called studies supporting global climate change a 'bunch of snake oil science,'" reported Associated Press, who forked over $74 to attend the spectacle. more ›