A federal agency has given approval to controversial efforts to restart the Santa Barbara County oil pipeline which ruptured in 2015, causing a massive spill, but enviromental groups filed suit to try to block the effort.
The Federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration gave approval December 22 to Sable Offshore Corporation’s efforts to restart the pipeline. The resumption of the operation of the pipeline would allow Sable to restart production from three offshore oil platforms.
Environmental groups have opposed the restart efforts, asserting resuming operations would set the stage for another disaster involving the decades old infrastructure. Sable contends that it’s repaired and tested the system, and added safety measures well beyond what’s required…