California Judge Rebukes Trump-Backed Plan to Bypass State Authority in Oil Pipeline Restart

A California judge has blocked a Trump administration effort to restart offshore oil pipelines by ruling that a federal emergency order does not override state environmental regulations. The ruling upholds an injunction against Sable Offshore Corp., preventing the restart of pipelines through Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Kern counties until state permits are secured.

The Trump administration invoked the Defense Production Act, arguing it preempted state laws that had kept the pipelines closed since a 2015 oil spill. Legal experts say the decision reinforces that state permitting requirements remain in force and could signal outcomes in similar federal cases.

The court's decision represents a significant affirmation of California's regulatory authority over energy projects within its borders.