SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California has filed a lawsuit against the federal government in response to the approval of Sable Offshore Corp.'s plans to restart two oil pipelines along the California coast. Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the lawsuit, arguing that the federal government is overstepping its authority and that the approval threatens the state's environmental interests.
The ongoing legal battle highlights the tension between California's efforts to protect its coastline and the federal administration's push to increase energy production. The pipelines, located off Santa Barbara, had been dormant since a major oil spill in 2015 that caused significant environmental damage.
Bonta emphasized the importance of maintaining state regulatory authority over such projects, stating, We’re taking them to court to draw a line in the sand and to protect our coast, beaches, and communities from potentially hazardous pipelines.”
In contrast, officials from the U.S. Transportation Department defended the decision, stressing that the restart of the pipelines would provide critical energy supply to a state grappling with high gas prices. As the legal dispute unfolds, Sable Offshore Corp. remains determined to resume operations, despite previous legal setbacks.
Opponents of the pipeline restart argue that the lessons learned from the catastrophic 2015 spill should not be ignored, citing the long-lasting impacts on marine life and local communities. As California transitions towards more renewable energy sources, proponents of the lawsuit hope it will further demonstrate the state's commitment to environmental protection.
