Energy Secretary Tells Oil Company to Resume Operations Off California Coast

California Governor Criticizes Federal Order to Restart Controversial Oil Operations

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued a directive on Friday calling for the restoration of operations by Sable Offshore Corp. in waters off Southern California, which were previously damaged by a 2015 oil spill. This move comes under the authority of the Defense Production Act and aims to mitigate risks associated with supply disruptions.

The restoration of Sable’s Santa Ynez unit and associated pipeline, located off Santa Barbara, includes three rigs and an infrastructure capable of producing approximately 50,000 barrels of oil per day. According to the Energy Department, this operation could replace nearly 1.5 million barrels of foreign crude each month.

“The Trump Administration remains committed to putting all Americans and their energy security first,” said Wright. He criticized certain state leaders for not prioritizing energy security, suggesting the directive will enhance the nation’s oil supply and restore a vital system for military readiness on the West Coast.

This action follows President Donald Trump’s executive order on his first day of his second term, which reversed former President Joe Biden’s ban on future offshore oil drilling. That ban had previously been challenged and ultimately struck down by a federal court, paving the way for renewed operations in federal waters.

In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal directive, stating, “This is an attempt to illegally restart a pipeline whose operators are facing criminal charges and prohibited by multiple court orders from restarting. California will not stand by while the Trump administration attempts to sacrifice our coastal communities, our environment, and our $51 billion coastal economy.” Newsom emphasized that the state would pursue legal action against both the Trump administration and Sable for defying existing court orders.

Earlier this year, California initiated legal proceedings against the federal government over its approval of Sable’s plans to restart the coastal pipelines. Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted that state oversight includes the pipelines in Santa Barbara and Kern counties, asserting that the federal government does not have the authority to override California’s regulatory jurisdiction.