Santa Barbara County supervisors adopted a resolution opposing a clause in a House military spending bill that could give Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth eminent-domain power over land Sable Offshore says it needs for its pipeline. The bill now goes to the Senate.
A Republican House member from Houston, Sable Offshore’s home base, added the clause; the bill passed the House by one vote. Rep. Salud Carbajal backed the resolution, saying the defense bill should not create a federal route around California law for a single private pipeline project. Laura Capps, Roy Lee, Bob Nelson and Steve Lavagnino voted for the resolution; Joan Hartmann did not participate because her home’s proximity to the pipeline created a conflict.
County officials denied a permit in 2025. Sable is also seeking permission to excavate 12 pipeline sections flagged as “anomalies” in federally required tests. Repairs would be required if any section had lost 40% or more of its steel wall, but a county spokesperson said officials do not yet know how severe the corrosion readings were. County counsel is assessing whether Sable needs county permission to dig. Sable says excavation and repairs could happen without stopping pumping; work was initially scheduled for Sept. 8–15, with another round continuing through Sept. 26.
