California Judge Affirms State Authority Over Central Coast Oil Pipeline Restart

A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge has upheld California's regulatory power over oil pipeline operations along the Central Coast, rejecting a federal directive aimed at fast-tracking their restart. The ruling was issued Friday in response to a Trump administration order last month invoking the Defense Production Act to mandate the immediate operation of pipelines managed by Sable Offshore Corp.

Judge Donna Geck determined that the administration's executive order does not supersede California's environmental regulations or the court's previous injunctions. Sable Offshore Corp., headquartered in Houston, had argued that the federal order should take priority over state and local laws. However, Geck found that "nothing permits a party subject to a Defense Production Act order to violate other laws," referencing similar decisions in past federal cases.

The pipelines at issue, which extend through Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern counties and connect to offshore oil rigs, have been dormant since 2015 following a major rupture and oil spill. The state has maintained regulatory blocks on their restart due to environmental concerns. Sable has faced multiple legal and regulatory challenges, including criminal charges and an unresolved dispute over its use of land in Gaviota State Park.

Environmental groups and California officials welcomed the court's decision as a validation of state regulatory authority. Governor Gavin Newsom described the ruling as a setback for both the Trump administration and Sable Offshore's efforts to bypass California law using emergency powers. Legal experts note the case could influence pending federal court disputes over similar federal-state regulatory conflicts, especially as the federal government increases pressure to boost domestic oil production amid global market volatility.

The matter remains under ongoing litigation, with Judge Geck expected to rule soon on whether Sable should be held in contempt for possible noncompliance with the court's injunction. The future of the pipeline operations continues to depend on the outcome of multiple legal battles regarding state and federal oversight.