The pipeline, owned by Sable Offshore Corp., crosses Gaviota State Park. State officials are asking a court to force Sable to shut down, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation sent a notice on Saturday demanding immediate removal, denying an easement. Sable had failed to secure necessary state permits after over a year of attempts, and a state judge last year ordered operations halted until compliance was proven, according to major media reports.
Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to sue the Trump administration and Sable, saying the president 'started a war' and is using the crisis to open the coast for oil industry friends. The Santa Barbara District Attorney filed felony criminal charges against Sable for polluting waterways during repairs, according to major media. Sable maintains it has proper permits. The U.S. Energy Department says the pipeline will boost California's in-state oil production by 15% and replace nearly 1.5 million barrels of foreign crude monthly. Analysts say the US-Israel war on Iran has caused oil price spikes. The legal status of the state judge's order and the outcome of the criminal charges remain unclear.
Donald Trump started a war, admitted it would spike gas prices nationwide, and told Americans it was a small price to pay. Now he’s using this crisis of his own making to attempt what he’s wanted to do for years: open California’s coast for his oil industry friends so they can poison our beaches.