The legal battle over a controversial California oil pipeline has shifted to federal court, raising stakes for both domestic energy production and the protection of the Gaviota Coast.

Santa Barbara County filed a lawsuit against Houston-based Sable Offshore Corp., alleging the company resumed pipeline operations without securing local permits. As a result, a California judge issued a ruling last month blocking the restart of the pipeline, stating that Sable Offshore Corp. lacked the authority to bypass state restrictions.

The dispute moved to the federal level after the U.S. government intervened, arguing that the pipeline falls strictly under federal energy jurisdiction.

A federal judge will now decide whether the line can continue running while multiple lawsuits proceed, bypassing local courts.

Sable Offshore restarted oil transport through the Las Flores Pipeline System in March following federal approval.

Federal officials defended the restart as a crucial step for domestic energy production. However, California regulators and environmental groups contend the company bypassed vital state environmental protections.

The pipeline system has faced intense scrutiny due to its proximity to vulnerable marine habitats.

“We all remember the oil leak in Refugio, and that’s all because the pipeline is not up to standard,” said Kimberly Ray, founder and CEO of the Marine Conservation Network.

Environmental advocates warn that transferring the case to federal court could make it harder to halt the pipeline's operations during the litigation.

“We want the ocean to have time to heal and for marine life to have the opportunity to recover from the oil drilling,” said Karissa Gomez, a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Sable Offshore did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday. The company previously stated that the pipeline infrastructure underwent extensive repairs, testing, and safety upgrades prior to the restart, and maintained that it is operating legally under federal authorization.

The Santa Barbara County Supervisor’s Office declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The Environmental Defense Center, which is involved in the legal challenges, responded to inquiries, while several other environmental groups did not return requests for comment.