California Attorney General Sues Trump Administration Over Oil Pipeline
California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, announced on Friday the state’s decision to sue the Trump administration. The lawsuit pertains to actions taken by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), which has claimed federal authority over two state oil pipelines and permitted their reopening.
During a news conference held at Dockweiler State Beach, Bonta alleged that the Trump administration “illegally allowed Sable Offshore to pump oil through an onshore pipeline linking Santa Barbara County to Kern County.” He further highlighted a previous incident in 2015 when one of the Los Flores pipelines ruptured. This incident, attributed to corrosion, resulted in the Refugio oil spill, which released over 100,000 gallons of heavy crude oil into the environment, with at least 21,000 gallons entering the ocean.
Bonta criticized PHMSA’s decision to restart the pipeline, describing it as a clear instance of President Trump being influenced by the oil industry.
He emphasized that since the pipeline is entirely within California and does not cross state lines or federal waters, “regulation falls under California’s jurisdiction, not the federal government’s.” Bonta stated, “The Trump administration undermined California’s authority, took over pipeline management illegally, and issued an unjustified emergency permit for Sable without any real emergency.” He noted, “The Trump administration has broken the law again. That’s why we’re taking this to court.”
This brings the total number of lawsuits California has filed against the Trump administration to 55. Bonta clarified that the lawsuit is not necessarily about the pipeline’s reopening itself, but rather whether state or federal authorities should decide that matter. “It’s clearly a state issue,” he stated.
Bonta mentioned that Sable had requested the Trump administration to claim the pipeline as “interstate,” implying it was part of a larger network extending into federal waters. He dismissed this as misleading, calling it “an excuse to undermine state oversight.”
As of now, the White House has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the lawsuit.
