At a public meeting in San Francisco last spring, Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., told Interior Secretary Ken Salazar: "New drilling would be an environmental and economic disaster for our state.... Our state is clearly saying to you, 'No.'"

Also at the meeting was Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., then the lieutenant governor.

"We had Washington, Oregon and California state governments represented," said Garamendi. "All of us were in strong opposition to further federal oil leases off the West Coast.... And apparently, Salazar took to heart the issues raised by all of us."

Indeed, Salazar has cited the intensity of public opposition as a factor in the president's decision not to allow oil companies to tap the estimated 10 billion barrels worth of oil in the California seabed, even as he opens up drilling elsewhere.

With few exceptions, Californians have welcomed the president's pledge to renew the moratorium on drilling off the Pacific Coast. Residents, environmental groups and public officials have not forgotten a gruesome accident in January 1969 when a "blow out" released 3 million gallons of crude oil into the ocean. The spill was lethal for marine life, killing over 3600 seabirds, and the incident is widely credited as the impetus for the inaugural Earth Day in 1970.

Yesterday, those same lawmakers who attended the San Francisco meeting last spring celebrated the president's announcement.

"Today's offshore oil drilling announcement is a victory for California's pristine coastline," said Garamendi, whose district lies in the Bay Area. "For now, our oceans will be spared the encroachment of new drilling that could potentially devastate natural habitats and ruin the tourism, fishing, and other ocean-based economies that millions of Californians rely upon."

"President Obama's decision... recognizes the importance of protecting our state's $23 billion coastal economy, thousands of jobs and the beauty of our state," said Boxer.

And Democratic Rep. Lois Capps, who represents Santa Barbara, called the announcement "a victory for California and for all of us on the south and central coasts who have been fighting to keep our coastline safe from new oil drilling."

Oil and gas companies in the state have expressed dismay, but refrained from condemning the decision. Randall Luthi, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, called it "somewhat perplexing that this plan... removes so early in the process southern California," but only after praising the president's announcement.

Even among the state's Republican lawmakers, criticism for the plan was restrained.

"The plan neglects areas that would have the most impact on employment and energy development," said Rep. Ken Calvert, who represents the Riverside area, but the "announcement is a step in the right direction."

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