A Houston-based oil company looking to boost California’s offshore oil production lost a vote Tuesday in a key permitting dispute.
What happened: The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 against Sable Offshore Corp in its request to transfer local operating permits for its three platforms off the Santa Barbara coast from Exxon Mobil, which sold the firm its assets.
Why it matters: The loss illustrates how far Sable’s reputation has fallen among California policymakers as it strives to get key approvals it needs to bring its oil to market.
Context: In February, the board tied on a vote on the permitting issue. But on Tuesday, county supervisors expressed concern that Sable has made a series of decisions that have been condemned by state regulators.
