US Energy Sec. Restarts Oil Pipelines, Faces Legal Challenges

0:00This is Cory, and here's what is making news across Durham right now. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright ordered a Houston-based oil company on Friday to restart operations for pipelines damaged in a 2015 oil spill off Southern California. He invoked the Defense Production Act to make this happen, aiming to boost the nation's oil supply. This move follows President Trump's executive order on his first day back in office, which reversed the previous ban on new offshore drilling along. The East and West Coast, a federal court also struck down an earlier decision to pull 625 million acres of federal waters from oil development. Wright stressed that the action supports national security and ensures reliable energy for West Coast military bases. Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom slammed the order as an illegal push to revive pipelines despite ongoing criminal charges against the seven, operators and multiple court prohibitions. The pipelines run through areas overseen by Santa Barbara and Kern counties where state regulators hold authority. Back in January,

1:04California sued the federal government over its approval of the company's restart plans. State officials warned this could harm coastal communities in a $51 billion coastal economy, and they planned to challenge the directive in. Court right away. The Daily News Now is presented by our sponsor. A pillow that plays your podcast, music, or white noise privately, no earbuds required. S-O-L-I-SOLY-PILLOW.COM