California Sues US Dept of Energy Over Sable Oil Pipeline Restart

State alleges federal overreach in using Cold War-era law to reopen long-disputed pipeline system

Mar. 24, 2026 at 3:02am by Ben Kaplan

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California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Energy to stop it from using a Cold War-era law to restart the long-disputed Sable Offshore pipeline system that links an offshore platform to California refineries. Bonta alleges the restart order by Energy Secretary Chris Wright violates state law, court orders, and a federal settlement.

Why it matters

The lawsuit is the latest in an ongoing conflict between the Trump administration, which wants to boost domestic fossil fuel production, and California's climate change agenda under Governor Gavin Newsom. The Sable pipeline system was shut down in 2015 after a major oil spill, and its restart has faced legal challenges from the state.

The details

The U.S. Department of Energy restarted the Sable pipelines earlier this month using powers granted by an executive order from President Trump that invoked the Defense Production Act to supersede state laws. California is now asking a federal court to rule that the restart order violated federal law and the Constitution, and to prohibit the Energy Department from operating the Santa Ynez platform and its pipelines.

  • On March 14, Sable said it began shipping hydrocarbons from Las Flores Canyon to Pentland Station.
  • Sable expects to sell 50,000 barrels per day by April 1.

The players

Rob Bonta

California Attorney General who filed the lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Energy.

Chris Wright

U.S. Secretary of Energy who issued the order to restart the Sable pipelines using the Defense Production Act.

Gavin Newsom

Governor of California who has championed the state's ambitious climate change agenda.

Sable Offshore

The company that operates the Sable pipeline system linking an offshore platform to California refineries.

U.S. Department of Energy

The federal agency being sued by California over the Sable pipeline restart.

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What they’re saying

“We won't let this outrageous federal overreach go without a fight.”

— Rob Bonta, California Attorney General

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to grant California's request to prohibit the Energy Department from operating the Sable pipelines under the restart order.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government's efforts to boost domestic energy production and California's aggressive climate change policies. The outcome could have significant implications for the future of fossil fuel infrastructure in the state.