Ocean Coastal Policy

Historical Impact of the Oil Industry on Three Southern California Counties - Molotch

Principal Investigator

Harvey Molotch

Researchers at MSI's Ocean and Coastal Policy Center completed their studies of the oil industry and its historical impacts on the three counties, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. Among other significant findings, the economic analysis conducted by Professor Perry Shapiro of UCSB's economics department, determined that the industry has had no detectable impact on building the counties economies. In terms of other effects, such as on political and social life, the consequences have been substantial, but mixed. Ventura County has, on the whole, welcomed the industry and has developed a social and political context in sympathy with its needs. At the other extreme, impacts on San Luis Obispo County -- influenced by severe pollution events -- have resulted in virtually unanimous hostility and opposition. Mitigation of past oil pollution events remains a major policy issue there. Other significant contributions included documenting the proliferation of environmental consulting firms and new industrial technologies in this region as oil companies seek to comply with stringent environmental regulations (and, in the latter case, extreme geophysical conditions).

These research findings received extensive media coverage in Southern California.