Exxon, Pipeline Company Demand California Safety Valve Approval

Pacific Pipeline Co. and Exxon Mobil Corp. challenged the Santa Barbara County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors’ denial of permit applications to install automated safety valves on a pipeline system.

The companies told the US District Court for the Central District of California on Wednesday that the valves are necessary to comply with Assembly Bill 864, which requires operators of existing pipelines under the jurisdiction of the Office of the State Fire Marshal near the coastal zone to retrofit pipelines with the best available technologies to reduce the risk of oil spills.

They claimed the commission and board exceeded ...