Constitutional Law
Oct. 1, 2026
Federal preemption takes center stage in California pipeline dispute
A federal court ruled that the Defense Production Act preempts conflicting California restrictions on restarting Santa Barbara County oil pipelines, a decision the state has appealed to the 9th Circuit.
Michael M. Berger
Senior Counsel
Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP
2049 Century Park East
Los Angeles , CA 90067
Phone: (310) 312-4185
Fax: (310) 996-6968
Email: mmberger@manatt.com
USC Law School
Michael M. Berger is senior counsel at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP, where his practice focuses on appeals with a particular interest in constitutional land use. He has argued four takings cases in the U.S. Supreme Court.
When last we checked in on oil pipelines in Santa Barbara County ("Stuck in the Middle," April 29, 2026), we noted that the owner of the pipelines (Sable Offshore Oil Corp.) found itself caught between conflicting orders from two government agencies. The federal government had ordered it to resume the flow of oil through it...
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