Friday, February 5, 2010

Nearly two years ago, a broad coalition of environmental groups celebrated a deal with a Texas oil company that promised to eventually end its drilling operations off California's scenic Santa Barbara County coast.

Now, a growing number of those former eco allies are lining up against the Plains Exploration & Production proposal that includes some new drilling.

Many worry it could inadvertently end a 40-year moratorium on new drilling along the entire California coast.

About 110 groups have joined the "Oppose PXP Coalition." The growing opposition comes at a critical time, with politicians eyeing the coast for more drilling as a way to bolster battered budgets.