In September of 1968, just far enough outside the 3-mile limit of the Santa Barbara coast, an oil/gas drilling rig was built. There was no choice. California had regulations for off-shore drilling that exceeded what the U.S. Government had in place. For a couple of reasons. One reason was earthquakes, the other reason was earthquakes Union Oil built the A-21 rig 5 miles out from shore. In January 1969, a scant 4 months after it was built and began drilling 3500 feet down, it blew.
continued at Daily Kos....
