Trump Orders Restart of California Coastal Oil Drilling Amid Iran War

President asserts executive authority to resume offshore drilling despite state opposition and environmental concerns.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:57am

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President Trump has signed an executive order using the Defense Production Act to demand the controversial resumption of offshore oil drilling along California's coastline. The move comes as gas prices soar amid the ongoing war with Iran, with the administration seeking to boost domestic oil production. However, California's governor and environmental groups have strongly opposed the action, calling it an illegal power grab that risks further oil spills.

Why it matters

The order to restart offshore drilling along the California coast is a major escalation in the long-running battle between the Trump administration and the state over energy and environmental policy. It also highlights the broader geopolitical and economic impacts of the war with Iran, which has disrupted global oil supplies and sent fuel prices skyrocketing.

The details

Trump signed an executive order giving the Department of Energy the ability to use the Defense Production Act to accelerate oil and gas development. Energy Secretary Chris Wright then ordered Sable Offshore Corp. to restore operations of the Santa Ynez Unit and Santa Ynez Pipeline System along the Santa Barbara County coast. However, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged legal action, calling the move an 'attempt to illegally restart a pipeline' and accusing Trump of trying to 'poison our beaches' to help his 'oil industry friends'.

  • On Friday, Trump signed the executive order.
  • Energy Secretary Chris Wright quickly responded with an order directing Sable Offshore Corp. to restore operations.
  • Two weeks into the Iran War, crude oil has reached $100 a barrel, and the average price of gas in California has topped $5.40 a gallon.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who is asserting executive authority to demand the resumption of offshore oil drilling along California's coastline.

Gavin Newsom

The governor of California who has blasted the action as an attempt to illegally restart a pipeline and has pledged legal action against the move.

Chris Wright

The Energy Secretary who issued an order directing Sable Offshore Corp. to restore operations of the Santa Ynez Unit and Santa Ynez Pipeline System.

Sable Offshore Corp.

A Houston-based oil company that has faced backlash over its efforts to restart a pipeline that ruptured in 2015, causing one of the biggest oil spills in California history.

Talia Nimmer

An attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity who decried Trump's executive action as a 'revolting power grab by an extremist president'.

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What they’re saying

“Today's order will strengthen America's oil supply and restore a pipeline system vital to our national security and defense, ensuring that West Coast military installations have the reliable energy critical to military readiness.”

— Chris Wright, Energy Secretary

“Donald Trump started a war, admitted it would spike gas prices nationwide, and told Americans it was a small price to pay. Now he's using this crisis of his own making to attempt what he's wanted to do for years: open California's coast for his oil industry friends so they can poison our beaches.”

— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California

“Trump is misusing this Cold War-era law just to help a Texas oil company skirt vital state laws that protect our coastline, and Californians will pay the price. Mandating a restart of these defective oil pipelines won't curb high gas prices, but it will put coastal wildlife at huge risk of another oil spill.”

— Talia Nimmer, Attorney, Center for Biological Diversity

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Sable Offshore Corp. to restart operations along the California coast.

The takeaway

This executive action highlights the ongoing tensions between the federal government and California over energy and environmental policy, as well as the broader geopolitical and economic impacts of the war with Iran. It raises concerns about the potential for further oil spills and environmental damage along the California coast, even as the administration seeks to boost domestic oil production to address rising gas prices.