Tue, Mar 24

NEWS: California sues Trump energy department over revival of controversial oil pipeline

California is suing the DOE over its forced restart of a controversial offshore pipeline system. (The Guardian)

  • The Sable Offshore pipeline system shuttered after a 2015 oil spill that sent over 100K gallons of crude oil into the Pacific. Earlier this month, Energy Sec. Chris Wright invoked the Defense Production Act via a Trump executive order to override state law. Now, the system is already shipping oil and expects to hit 50K barrels a day by April 1.

  • California AG Rob Bonta called it "outrageous federal overreach," arguing the restart violates federal law, state law, and a federally approved settlement from the original spill. 

  • Gov. Newsom was blunter: "Trump started a war, admitted it would spike gas prices, and now he's using this crisis of his own making to open California's coast for his oil industry friends."

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