California’s attorney general has sued the Trump Administration over federal approval of controversial efforts to restart the Santa Barbara County oil pipeline that ruptured in 2015, causing a major spill.
It’s the latest salvo in the battle over Sable Offshore Corporation’s efforts to restart the pipeline that caused a 140,000 gallon oil spill when it ruptured on the Gaviota Coast.
Sable originally sought state approval to restart the pipeline. When those efforts stalled, the company then asserted that a federal agency actually had restart authority for the system. The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration approved Sable’s request.
State Attorney General Rob Bonta filed suit Friday against the federal government, challenging its assertion it has exclusive jurisdiction over the pipeline. Bonta called the federal agency’s action illegal and said it is an attempt to bypass state regulation.
Sable is attempting to restart the pipeline to begin pumping crude oil again from three platforms off the Santa Barbara County coast that were idled by the shutdown.
The company is facing a number of lawsuits over its restart efforts. A coalition of environmental groups and government agencies are seeking to block the project. Opponents contend much more environmental review is needed at the least, and many feel that restarting the aging system would set the stage for another disaster.
