California sues Trump energy department over revival of controversial oil pipeline

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued the Trump administration's Energy Department to halt the restart of the Sable Offshore pipeline system, which was shut down following a 2015 spill. Energy Secretary Chris Wright restarted the pipeline earlier this month using executive authority granted by President Trump under the Defense Production Act, a Cold War-era law that the administration invoked to override California state regulations. Bonta characterized the move as "outrageous federal overreach," reflecting a fundamental clash between federal energy policy and state environmental authority. The pipeline connects an offshore platform to California refineries and has been controversial for years, with the spill incident prompting its original closure. The lawsuit represents an escalating conflict over the Trump administration's use of emergency powers to advance energy production goals against state opposition.