Democratic Senators want permanent ban on drilling for oil off California coast

A group of Democratic senators wants to permanently ban drilling off the coast of California, Oregon and Washington.

The lawmakers announced Wednesday that they’ll submit a bill to block federal leases for exploring, developing or producing oil or natural gas on the outer continental shelf off of the three states.

California Sen. Barbara Boxer says offshore drilling puts the state’s coastal economy at risk.

Boxer’s office says the measure wouldn’t affect existing leases in federal waters or activity allowed in state waters.

Also backing the so-called West Coast Ocean Protection Act are Dianne Feinstein of California; Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington and Oregon’s Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley.

A similar bill was submitted in 2010 but failed to clear Congress.