P. M. BRIEFING : Chevron to Skirt Coastal Channel, Bowing to Lagomarsino’s Concerns

Chevron said today it will re-route tankers around the Santa Barbara Channel in response to a request made by Rep. Robert J. Lagomarsino (R-Ventura).

The congressman and Chevron made the announcement at a joint news conference here.

Chevron said the move will cost about $500,000 a year because tankers sailing up and down the coast will have to cover greater distances to avoid the channel.

“We recognize that the public is tremendously concerned about tanker operations in light of recent events,” said Thomas Moore, vice president of operations for Chevron Shipping Co. “We believe that re-routing our tankers can be done relatively easily.”

Lagomarsino on April 11 introduced a bill in the House banning Alaskan oil tankers from the channel unless they have a destination in the channel. He also sent letters to six oil companies asking that they voluntarily stop shipping oil through the channel. Chevron, he said, is the first company to respond.

“Chevron deserves our appreciation for agreeing to our request,” Lagomarsino said. He urged other companies to follow its example.

“The channel is both a productive fishing ground and a productive oil-producing region. The islands themselves have been designated as a national park. . . . We should not risk our rich environmental resources to the damage of a possible accident when there are alternate routes available.”