A coalition of environmental groups filed a new lawsuit against the federal government over the operation of a Santa Barbara County oil pipeline.
Sable Offshore Corporation unsuccessfully sought state permits to restart the pipeline. When it failed, it turned to the U.S. government, arguing the system should be under federal jurisdiction. The feds agreed.
After more lawsuits stalled the restart, the federal government cited the Defense Production Act, which allows companies to bypass regulators during national emergencies. The pipeline restarted in March.
"The Environmental Defense Center and our clients just filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's assertion of authority over Sable's pipelines," said Linda Krop with the Environmental Defense Center. "These are intrastate pipelines. They run from Santa Barbara County to Kern County, and it's important that they're under state oversight because we have stricter environmental laws, stricter pipeline safety laws."
Despite multiple lawsuits, the pipeline continues to operate. Sable reports it’s moving about 50,000 barrels of oil a day, with two of its three oil platforms off the Santa Barbara County coastline operational.
The same pipeline ruptured on the Gaviota Coast in 2015, causing a large oil spill. Environmental groups contend restarting the four-decade-old infrastructure sets the stage for another oil spill. Sable, meanwhile, argues it has gone above and beyond what's required for safety.
