The State : Oil Drilling Off Coast Delayed

Interior Department officials have delayed indefinitely plans for offshore oil drilling along the Southern California coast so the new Administration can review the proposal, according to Rep. Ron Packard (R-Carlsbad), an oil-drilling foe. Robert Walker, an Interior Department spokesman, declined to confirm that any decision has been made regarding the leasing proposal. But another Interior official, who requested his name not be used, confirmed that the oil lease plan has been put on hold for an indeterminate period. It remains unclear, however, whether the freeze will be a long-term hold or simply a temporary delay of a few weeks to allow the Bush Administration time to review the proposal.