California is trying to block a restart of offshore oil operations near Santa Barbara, taking the fight into federal court. State Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a motion late last week, then publicly announced it on Monday, signaling a more aggressive push against Sable Offshore Corp.
At the center of the dispute is whether the company can move forward under a federal directive that California officials say sidesteps state environmental rules. Bonta argues that Sable pushed for what he called an unlawful order from the federal government and has already begun transporting oil through the Las Flores pipeline system without proper authorization.
That federal order traces back to March, when President Trump directed officials to resume offshore drilling along the Southern California coast. The administration pointed to national energy concerns, especially with oil supply uncertainty tied to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The order relied on the Defense Production Act, a law dating back to the Cold War that allows the federal government to act quickly in the interest of national security.
Following that directive, Sable restarted operations at its Santa Ynez offshore platform and related pipeline infrastructure, with approval from Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The company appears to be betting that federal authority will ultimately outweigh California’s objections.
But the state has already had some success pushing back. Just last month, a California judge ruled that the federal order did not override an existing state injunction that had blocked the restart. That earlier legal action came from environmental groups, joined by state officials, who argued that any attempt to resume operations would still need to go through California’s regulatory process.
The pipeline itself has a controversial history. It was shut down in 2015 after a major spill sent thousands of barrels of crude oil into the Pacific, raising long-standing concerns about the risks of offshore drilling in the region.
Now, the legal battle is shifting to the federal level. Bonta is asking the court to step in and halt operations while the broader dispute plays out, arguing that the federal approval should be paused.
Sable, for its part, isn’t backing down. An attorney for the company said they plan to keep pumping oil and will argue in court that the federal order takes precedence over the state’s restrictions.
Governor Gavin Newsom has thrown his support behind the lawsuit, framing it as part of a broader clash between state authority and federal overreach. He also tied the issue to rising costs for consumers, arguing that the administration’s policies are benefiting oil companies while putting pressure on families.
For now, the outcome is uncertain. The courts will have to sort out where federal power ends and state authority begins, with significant implications for energy policy, environmental oversight, and the balance of power between Washington and California.
