Federal regulators want to issue a special permit to allow a Texas company to restart a coastal pipeline network in California that failed in 2015 and resulted in one of the worst oil spills in state history.
What happened: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on Monday posted a notice proposing granting Sable Offshore a special permit to restart two segments of the Santa Ynez pipeline system, which transports oil drilled offshore through Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Kern counties.
Why it matters: The proposed waiver is a win for Sable, which has turned to the federal government for support in restarting its pipeline since hitting significant opposition among state and local California officials.
Context: Sable needs a special permit to operate its pipeline due to a consent decree imposed after the 2015 oil spill, before Sable purchased it.
