US Coastal Oil Drilling - Why a ban?

In 1969 in Santa Barbara there was a massive oil spill. 200,000 gallons of oil spilled. Because of this a ban on offshore drilling in Florida (swing state - major politics) and California were put into place.

Almost 40 years later, there is a lot of pressure to allow offshore drilling. Gasoline approaching $5 a gallon has caused this. Opinion polls show 65% of the US is in favor of drilling offshore. An updated article The oil spill that triggered the debate over offshore drilling and this one from the NY Times. Idea of Offshore Drilling Seems to Be Spreading

My opinion is with 40 years of technology, it should be a lot safer for oil drilling. California has allowed existing oil platforms to keep on drilling. They have done it in the gulf, even after Hurricane Katrina that tore up a lot of pipelines without a massive oil spill, why can't California manage it? Correction - 700,000 gallons were spilled. Politically I see it happening (at least the permission given) or it quietly dying in committee.

Is drilling for oil offshore the answer to the current energy crises? With a shortage of offshore rigs there won't be an immediate benefit. What would help in increases in conservation and alternative energy funding (like renewing the solar tax credits).