Santa Barbara County supervisors are formally pushing back against a U.S. House proposal that would let the Pentagon step in to help Sable Offshore get around local and state obstacles tied to its pipeline operations near Las Flores Canyon.
At the center is a federal clause that would give Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth eminent domain authority tied to the company's oil project.
Here's what to know
Supervisors used a county board meeting to adopt a resolution denouncing language added to a major military spending bill, saying it would hand Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth unusual authority connected to Sable Offshore's oil operations.
According to the Santa Barbara Independent, the provision would let the federal government condemn property the Houston-based company says it needs to keep the project moving, even if county or state agencies interfere.
A Republican House lawmaker from Houston, Sable's home base, added the measure; it then passed the House by a single vote before advancing to the Senate.
Congressmember Salud Carbajal came before the supervisors to support the resolution.
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"Congress should not use the National Defense Authorization Act [to] create a special federal pathway around California law for one pipeline — one private interest project," he stated.
Supervisors Laura Capps, Roy Lee, Bob Nelson, and Steve Lavagnino voted to oppose the federal move. Supervisor Joan Hartmann did not participate because her home's proximity to the pipeline created a conflict.
More background
The county's move comes amid a wider legal and regulatory conflict with Sable, the Santa Barbara Independent reported.
One point of contention is a permit that county officials denied in 2025.
County officials were also told Sable is seeking permission to dig up 12 pipeline segments identified in federally required testing as "anomalies," the Santa Barbara Independent reported.
If any of those sections are found to have lost 40% or more of the steel pipe wall, repairs would be required. Even so, county spokesperson Kelsey Buttita said the county does not yet know how severe the corrosion readings were, per the Santa Barbara Independent.
What's being done?
The resolution rejects using a defense bill to sidestep California oversight for a single oil company.
At the same time, county counsel is still determining whether Sable needs county permission to dig and how much jurisdiction the county has.
Sable has told the county that excavation and repairs can happen "live," so pumping would not have to pause. The work was initially scheduled for Sept. 8-15, with another round continuing until Sept. 26.
The issue now shifts to Washington, where the Senate will decide whether to keep the House language in the bill.
Where can I learn more?
For more on similar fights over pipelines, oil development, and government power, these stories examine court rulings, state authority, and federal decisions shaping fossil fuel projects across the U.S.
• In Washington, Trump urged the revival of Keystone XL, reigniting a long-running pipeline fight.
• Federal judges in Tennessee blocked a major gas pipeline after warnings of irreparable harm.
• In North Carolina, state records describe environmental and public health dangers tied to pipeline expansion.
• California expanded local control over oil drilling, strengthening cities and counties in industry fights.
• In the Gulf of Mexico, regulators let drillers ignore endangered species protections during offshore operations.
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