San Diego Oil Worries + Reopened Harbors + Fleet Vehicle Fuels

Happy Sunday, Huntington Beach! Here's everything happening today in town.

San Diego County is keeping a nervous eye on oil that is drifting along its coast. Also, Newport Beach and Dana Point harbors reopened. Finally, the City Council wants the HB vehicle fleet to use alternative fuels.

First, today's weather:

Sunny and pleasant. High: 74 Low: 57.

Here are the top stories in Huntington Beach today:

1. The oil spill’s fallout continues. Now, San Diego County is looking to protect its waterways. Examples include the Santa Margarita River and Los Peñasquitos Lagoon. Congressional representatives are asking that the Build Back Better Act come with a “ban on any new federal coastal oil and gas leases.” (Times of San Diego)
2. In the meantime, the harbors in Newport Beach and Dana Point are open again. This means that “fishing vessels, tour boats and recreational craft” can go about their business again. However, “fishing vessels cannot operate from Dana Point to Sunset Beach.” (Spectrum News 1)
3. The City’s vehicle fleet will transition from fossil fuels to alternative fuel. Some 900 vehicles will make the switch. Council member Dan Kalmick pointed to the oil spill as being a catalyst for moving away from oil dependency on a city level. “The exact cost associated with this transition and the year it will be completed is not known yet.” (Orange County Tribune)
4. There are now reports saying that the oil spill was not as bad as initially believed. The Coast Guard believes that a minimum of 25,000 gallons were released and a maximum of 132,000 gallons. “It’s less of an impact than expected from a worst-case shock,” notes California Fish and Wildlife. Of course, that doesn’t mean much when you’re trying to treat an oiled bird or seven. (6 Park News)
5. The latest business to sue Amplify Energy is the Banzai Surf School. Plaintiffs allege “business and/or commercial losses by virtue of their proximity to the spill, and the stigma associated with operating so near to the spill.” Other suits already filed include the one by an OC DJ business and a Laguna Beach couple. (NBC, Patch)

Today in Huntington Beach:

• Worship Service at Huntington Beach Church of Christ, 301 Huntington Street. (10:30 a.m.) There’s also a virtual evening service at 5 p.m.
• Native Plant Fundraiser at the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, 3842 Warner Avenue. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Tom Norman performs at the Pacific City, 21010 PCH. (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Little Shop of Horrors at Golden West College, 15744 Goldenwest Street. (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
• Vintage Bike PC October Meet at Castañedas Mexican Food, 19071 Brookhurst Street. (2 p.m. to 4 p.m.)

Huntington Beach Patch Notebook

• GIBTK invites you to join its fundraiser. The 19th annual Journey of Hope Gala is scheduled for November 6.

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Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Sunday off right! I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update. If you're feeling these newsletters, consider bringing some friends and neighbors on board. You can send them this link to subscribe.

— Sylvia Cochran

About me: Sylvia Cochran works out of sunny Southern California and has been freelance writing full-time since 2005. Her SEO-optimized internet copy includes social media marketing projects and German to English business translations. She loves dogs, cats, books, plays Fishdom (don't judge), embraces social justice, and tries to live out Micah 6:8.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Huntington Beach Daily? Contact me at huntingtonbeach-ca@patch.com.