Santa Barbara County reverses oil drilling stand

LOS ANGELES, Calif.

The resolution, which will be sent to President Barack Obama and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, is largely symbolic because the board lacks authority to allow or prevent drilling. However, drilling critics said the vote was timely because the Department of Interior is scheduled to discuss oil and gas leasing next week.

Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Santa Barbara, called the resolution “a welcome change” from the board’s 3-2 vote in August to ask the governor to change state policy and allow for drilling off the county coast.

AP