{"id":357523,"date":"2026-06-12T07:32:16","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T07:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/357523\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T07:32:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T07:32:16","slug":"another-california-city-launches-all-out-war-on-search-for-black-gold-off-coastline-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/357523\/","title":{"rendered":"Another California city launches all-out war on search for black gold off coastline"},"content":{"rendered":"

California\u2019s offshore energy wars<\/a> continued to heat up with week, with regulators threatening enforcement action against an oil company in the Santa Barbara Channel as coastal communities move to lock down new barriers against drilling<\/a> and deep-sea mining.<\/p>\n

Houston-based Sable Offshore is gearing up for a showdown with the California Coastal Commission, which alleges the company restarted portions of its pipeline network without obtaining a new state permit.<\/p>\n

Sable disputes the claim, arguing its work is covered by coastal development permits originally issued in 1986.<\/p>\n

\"Sable<\/p>\n

Sable Offshore\u2019s Las Flores Canyon (LFC) facility, in Goleta, CA. Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n

\u201cSable Offshore Corp. (\u201cSable\u201d) through its subsidiary, Pacific Pipeline Company (\u201cPPC\u201d), continues to lawfully operate through its existing coastal development permits which were issued in 1986,\u201d the company said in a statement to The California Post.<\/p>\n

Coastal Commission Executive Director Kate Huckelbridge has warned alleged violations remain ongoing and said the agency could pursue cease-and-desist orders and additional penalties.<\/p>\n

The battle comes as President Donald Trump pushes his revived \u201cDrill, baby, drill\u201d agenda from the White House, renewing efforts to boost domestic energy production.<\/p>\n

\"Donald<\/p>\n

Donald Trump in the Oval Office. AP Photo\/Jacquelyn Martin<\/p>\n

\"Aerial<\/p>\n

Aerial view of the Santa Cruz Wharf. MediaNews Group via Getty Images<\/p>\n

California\u2019s coastal leaders are moving in the opposite direction.<\/p>\n

In Santa Cruz, city leaders voted unanimously Tuesday to strengthen a decades-old ordinance aimed at blocking infrastructure tied to offshore oil drilling. The revised measure also targets facilities that could support deep-sea mining operations.<\/p>\n

The move expands on a voter-approved 1985 law requiring public approval before zoning changes could allow onshore facilities connected to offshore drilling. More than two dozen California coastal jurisdictions have since adopted similar \u201cBlue Wall\u201d protections.<\/p>\n

Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n

California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a>
California Post Sports Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, X<\/a>
California Post Opinion<\/a>
California Post Newsletters: Sign up here!<\/a>
California Post App: Download here!<\/a>
Home delivery: Sign up here!<\/a>Page Six Hollywood: <\/a>Sign up here!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Sable<\/p>\n

Sable Offshore\u2019s Las Flores Canyon facility. Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n

\"California<\/p>\n

California Governor Gavin Newsom. David Buchan for Ca Post<\/p>\n

Supporters hailed the vote as a model for other coastal communities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what local control looks like and this is what leading with values looks like,\u201d Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson said.<\/p>\n

The vote drew applause from activists, some of whom held signs opposing offshore drilling, while the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors approved similar changes just hours earlier. <\/p>\n

County voters will decide in November whether to make those restrictions permanent.<\/p>\n