Trump Orders Restart of Santa Barbara Oil Pipeline along California Coast

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Washington: The administration of Donald Trump has ordered the restart of a controversial oil pipeline along the California coast, invoking emergency powers to revive dormant energy operations despite strong opposition from state officials.

Trump signed an order on Friday using the Defense Production Act, directing Energy Secretary Chris Wright to require Texas-based Sable Offshore Corp. to restore the Santa Ynez Unit and its pipeline network along the Santa Barbara County coastline.

The US Department of Energy said the move aims to address supply disruption risks and reduce reliance on foreign oil shipments, particularly those passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been largely disrupted since the start of the conflict involving Iran.

California officials strongly criticized the decision. Governor Gavin Newsom described the order as “desperate, reckless and illegal,” while state Attorney General Rob Bonta called it a “brazen abuse of power.”

Newsom said the administration was attempting to restart a pipeline whose operators face criminal charges and are barred by multiple court orders from resuming operations. California previously sued the federal government in January after regulators approved plans to revive pipelines that had been shut since a major oil spill in 2015.

According to the Energy Department, the facility could produce about 50,000 barrels of oil per day. However, critics argue the output would have little impact on global energy markets compared with US daily demand of around 20 million barrels.

Meanwhile, oil prices climbed to their highest level since 2022. Brent crude rose to around $106.12 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate increased to about $101.53.