Santa Barbara - Assemblymember Pedro Nava, Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security today sent a letter to the
Director of the California Department of Fish and Game regarding the Greka oil spill in Santa Barbara County, requesting appropriate action upon completion of their investigation. (See letter below)

“As Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, I believe it is my responsibility to make sure that the public and the environment are protected,” said Nava.  “Once the investigation is complete and it is determined that laws were broken, then those responsible for the spill must be held accountable.”

Assemblymember Nava toured the Greka spill site yesterday and saw first-hand the environmental devastation caused by the 36,960 gallons of oil which was spilled last Friday in Santa Barbara County.

Letter Below:

December 11, 2007

John McCamman
Interim Director
Department of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Director McCamman:

On December 10, 2007, in my capacity as the Chair of the Joint Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security,
I toured the site of the 36,960 gallon Greka oil spill near Santa Maria.  As I examined the area, many questions arose about the
continued problems and numerous violations associated with Greka Energy.  With their newest and most voluminous spill, I observed
that oil had traveled about three quarters of a mile down the river bed causing potentially devastating damage to both the landscape
and the ecosystem.

I appreciate and want to thank you for the Department of Fish and Game’s rapid response in sending out a team of law enforcement
officials and environmental scientists immediately following the spill. I trust their investigation will be conducted in a similarly thorough and
rapid manner. When the investigation is complete, if it is determined that Greka was again in violation of any local, state, or federal laws,
I urge that  they be held accountable, referrals where appropriate made and the responsible parties be prosecuted to the fullest extent of
the law, including civil and/or criminal penalties.

Please let me know if I may be of assistance to you in the near future.

Sincerely,

PEDRO NAVA