This is just another Davis lie. Davis has also been involved with approving exploration and production drilling in the Santa Barbara Channel. Davis, as a member of the California State Lands Commission (comprised of the Controller, Lt. Governor, and a representative of the Governor) has the statutory responsibility to approve or deny ALL drilling requests in California offshore lands.
Davis, as Controller and Lt. Governor, was well known for "squeezing" applicants for campaing money - making sure it was not a quid pro quo that was too obvious. I know many an oilman and independent operator who got the Davis squeeze over the years. Anyone who is will to do the research will find that if Davis voted yes on the project, there was a campaign donation just before or after the fact. His other "modus operandi" was to get applicant to arrange land swaps or contribute to other Davis causes.