California Seeks Judicial Intervention as Trump Administration Pushes Ahead with Oil Pipeline Revival Plans
In a move that could have significant environmental implications, California has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the administration's recent approval of plans to restart two oil pipelines along its coast was done in defiance of state regulatory authority.
The Texas-based company Sable Offshore Corp. had proposed restarting production on the damaged Las Flores Pipeline in waters off Santa Barbara, which spilled over 140,000 gallons of oil in 2015. The spill had a devastating impact on local wildlife and ecosystems, with scores of pelicans, seals, and dolphins killed, and the fishing industry decimated.
Despite California's objections, the U.S. Transportation Department agency that approved Sable's plan argued that the pipeline restart would bring much-needed energy to a state with some of the highest gas prices in the country. However, critics point out that the plans could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, and that the federal government is ignoring painful lessons learned from the 2015 oil spill.
"This is crazy," said Alex Katz, executive director of the Environmental Defense Center. "We're talking about restarting a pipeline that was shut down after one of the worst environmental disasters in California's history."
California Attorney General Rob Bonta took a strong stance against the federal government's actions, stating, "The federal administration has no right to usurp California's regulatory authority. 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."
As tensions rise over offshore oil drilling, it remains to be seen whether California will prevail in its lawsuit or if the Trump administration will push forward with plans to revive domestic energy production.
In a move that could have significant environmental implications, California has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the administration's recent approval of plans to restart two oil pipelines along its coast was done in defiance of state regulatory authority.
The Texas-based company Sable Offshore Corp. had proposed restarting production on the damaged Las Flores Pipeline in waters off Santa Barbara, which spilled over 140,000 gallons of oil in 2015. The spill had a devastating impact on local wildlife and ecosystems, with scores of pelicans, seals, and dolphins killed, and the fishing industry decimated.
Despite California's objections, the U.S. Transportation Department agency that approved Sable's plan argued that the pipeline restart would bring much-needed energy to a state with some of the highest gas prices in the country. However, critics point out that the plans could harm coastal communities and ecosystems, and that the federal government is ignoring painful lessons learned from the 2015 oil spill.
"This is crazy," said Alex Katz, executive director of the Environmental Defense Center. "We're talking about restarting a pipeline that was shut down after one of the worst environmental disasters in California's history."
California Attorney General Rob Bonta took a strong stance against the federal government's actions, stating, "The federal administration has no right to usurp California's regulatory authority. 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."
As tensions rise over offshore oil drilling, it remains to be seen whether California will prevail in its lawsuit or if the Trump administration will push forward with plans to revive domestic energy production.
Pipeline problems are getting worse 
! The USA should learn from their past mistakes 
. 140,000 gallons of oil spilled in 2015 was a huge disaster 
! Who cares about high gas prices in CA? 
Animals and nature come first 
. I don't get why the Trump administration is ignoring environmental warnings 
. They should be more careful 
. Maybe the court will make them think twice 
.
I'm so worried about this oil pipeline revival plan 
. I think it's crazy that they're ignoring the impact on local wildlife and communities too 
. We should be focusing on renewable energy sources and reducing our carbon footprint, not reviving outdated pipelines 
?
. california has every right to push back against the feds and protect its coastline - it's not like they're being unreasonable 
. what's really worrying me is that we might see more of these types of disasters in the future if we don't take action 
.
. it's time for some common sense to be applied here 
like what's going on?! They're bringing back a pipeline that had such a massive spill like 10 years ago?! It's not like they even learned from it. I was in my AP Environmental Science class last semester and we were studying the effects of oil spills on marine life. It's so messed up that the gov't is ignoring all those lessons 
California is literally taking them to court for this, and I'm hoping they win because our beaches are already struggling with pollution 
I remember people saying "we need to get to work, we can't afford to wait" but it always seems like the politicians are too busy making money for their buddies or something... 
... it sounds like a recipe for disaster! 
. Like, isn't the goal of environmental laws supposed to be protecting our planet, not profiting fossil fuel companies? 
.
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I'm worried that if the Trump administration goes ahead with this plan, it could lead to more oil spills and devastating consequences for marine life. 
The state of California is literally crying out for some serious intervention here, and I love that they're taking the federal government to court over it 
. I mean, 140k gallons of oil spilled in 2015 was already a huge deal – can we really afford to risk more environmental disasters just to save on gas prices? 
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... But at the same time, I get why they're mad about it too - don't wanna mess with all those marine animals and whatnot 
. We gotta take care of our planet before it takes care of itself... and that includes setting boundaries with the government, not trying to bypass them 
We already know what happens when these pipelines leak oil and it kills all the animals. Like, remember that time in 2015? It was super bad! 
And now they're saying it's okay to start up again? That just doesn't sit right with me... 
i mean cali is speaking up and standing for their coastlines and ecosystems which is def needed considering all the harm oil has caused in the past, remember that devastating spill in santa barbara back in 2015? 
vs the planet 
california needs to take a stand ASAP on this one #SaveOurCoast #StopOilPollution #CaliforniaForTheWin 