The legal battle continues over the controversial restart of a pipeline that ruptured on the Gaviota Coast in 2015, causing a 140,000-gallon oil spill.
A judge rejected Sable Offshore Corporation’s request to rescind a preliminary injunction prohibiting the restart. A coalition of environmental groups had filed suit, contending the company had failed to obtain local and state approvals for the resumption of operations. A judge agreed and issued a preliminary injunction banning the restart.
But the Trump Administration used a 1950s-era law to order the company to resume operations. The Defense Production Act can be used by a president during national emergencies to expedite the production of essential materials. The company resumed operations weeks ago…