The 805
50 years after a massive spill, Santa Barbara remains tied to oil
Southern California’s largest utility company is suing Santa Barbara County for failing to prepare for last winter’s deadly debris flows. Award-winning author George Saunders believes fiction can help bring the country back together.
By Jonathan Bastian • • 28m ListenSouthern California’s largest utility company is suing Santa Barbara County for failing to prepare for last winter’s deadly debris flows. Award-winning author George Saunders believes fiction can help bring the country back together. And it’s been 50 years since an oil rig off the coast of Santa Barbara spilled 3 million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific and brought the environmental movement to the nation’s consciousness.
In this episode
3 stories50 years later, Santa Barbara’s relationship with oil remains tense
Next week marks 50 years since an oil rig off the coast of Santa Barbara spilled 3 million gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean and brought the environmental movement to the nation’s consciousness.
Read the story10 minEdison sues Santa Barbara County over last year’s mudslides
More than 75 lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison for igniting the Thomas Fire back in 2017, which set the stage for deadly debris flows in Montecito. Now, the utility giant is pointing its finger elsewhere.
Read the story8 min‘When I get confused, I get empathetic.’ George Saunders on healing our country’s divides
Award-winning novelist George Saunders joins the UCSB Arts & Lecture series with a talk at Campbell Hall on January 28.
Read the story11 min
