Brown Signs Ban on Offshore Drilling

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Oregon has permanently banned offshore drilling in the midst of a federal push to open 90 percent of federal waters to oil exploration.

Gov. Kate Brown signed a measure on Wednesday to extend a temporary 10-year ban that was set to expire next year. There is currently no oil production in the state but the U.S. Department of the Interior recently identified a possible operation site off the coast of Oregon and Washington state.

The measure also directs state agencies not to assist with any potential drilling operations in federal waters off the Oregon coast.

Brown said the move proves Oregon is “taking a leadership role in preventing the erosion of core laws that protect our environment.”

Six other coastal states have passed similar bans and seven others are considering similar action.