Trump invokes Defense Production Act to restart California Sable pipeline

Energy Secretary Chris Wright on March 13, 2026, directed Sable Offshore Corp. to restore operations of the Santa Ynez Unit and pipeline off Santa Barbara, invoking the Defense Production Act and citing Iran war supply disruption risks. The pipeline had been shut since the 2015 Refugio oil spill and was under a California court injunction barring restart without state approval. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a federal lawsuit challenging the order as executive overreach. Sable resumed pumping oil on March 16.