Oil the Way

California Gov. Gray Davis (D) reiterated his opposition to offshore oil drilling in his state yesterday and vowed he would fight the Bush administration all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary to stop development of 36 drilling leases granted by the federal government. Because of a moratorium imposed by the first President Bush, most new oil drilling is banned along the California coast; however, the ban does not cover preexisting leases. Davis said he plans to look into whether the proposed drilling is consistent with state and federal laws. The offshore drilling could negatively affect air quality and threaten sea otters, because about one-tenth of the surviving population lives in the lease areas.