California Coastal Commission Fines Sable Offshore $18 Million for Ignoring Cease-and-Desist Orders
The unprecedented penalty targets unpermitted pipeline work on the Santa Ynez Unit, raising environmental and regulatory stakes in a contentious dispute.
- The California Coastal Commission has imposed a record $18 million fine on Sable Offshore for unauthorized pipeline repairs and maintenance in Santa Barbara County.
- Sable Offshore continued construction despite multiple cease-and-desist orders, claiming to operate under a decades-old county permit disputed by state officials.
- The pipeline, linked to a major 2015 oil spill, poses potential risks to sensitive coastal habitats and endangered species, according to the commission.
- The fine, which could be reduced to under $15 million if Sable complies, underscores escalating tensions over state and federal oversight of coastal oil operations.
- Environmental groups and local residents have voiced strong opposition to the project, citing historical oil spills and the need for stricter regulatory enforcement.
CalMatters 
Los Angeles Times 