State Fire Marshall Approves Pipeline Safety Waivers to Restart Oil Flow

he federal court’s Consent Decree,” said Steve Rusch, Vice President of Environmental and Governmental Affairs at Sable Offshore. “By the time of restart, this pipeline will meet more stringent safety requirements than any other pipeline in the state.”

In a recent SEC filing, Sable Offshore reported reaching a conditional settlement agreement with Santa Barbara County, removing certain safety valve installations from the County’s jurisdiction. The company has been diligently working towards compliance and safety measures ever since.

While these steps have been taken, the California Coastal Commission raised concerns about some construction activities by Sable Offshore. After a brief pause to rectify the situation, work has since resumed with proper authorization in place, and the final step required for Sable Offshore was the approval by the State Fire Marshal.

Environmental organizations, including the Environmental Defense Center, have urged Governor Newsom to intervene in the restart plans, expressing concern about the potential environmental impact and safety risks associated with the project.

Despite these objections, the Office of State Fire Marshal granted the safety waivers necessary for the pipeline restart. Environmental groups like the EDC have condemned this decision, stating that it poses a risk to the environment and public safety.

We will keep you updated on any further developments related to these pipelines and the offshore oil production in Santa Barbara County. Stay tuned for more information as this story continues to unfold.