Alan Lowenthal: “This really fails to understand the value of the U.S.-flag fleet.”

I, too, wish to send my condolences to the families of those that died in the tragic accident in Santa Barbara.

Gulf Coast communities are also on the front lines of climate change, and sea-level rise, erosion, flooding, and more powerful storms will continue to wreak havoc until we reduce our emissions.

I believe the only response to this is to make sure that the fleet is big enough and flexible enough to meet congressional requirements.

As such, building even one new oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico will deepen the climate crisis, disproportionately imperiling low-income communities and communities of color in the process.