This weekly newsletter highlights the latest from the California Energy Journal along with links to articles and analysis on key developments in California energy policy.
From the California Energy Journal
Judge Denies Sable’s Request to Stop Commission Pipeline Orders (October 15, 2025) – A California judge denied Sable Offshore Corp.’s request to lift the California Coastal Commission’s cease-and desist orders for its work on the Las Flores Pipelines and its $18 million fine for refusing to comply with the orders. Judge Thomas Anderle in the Santa Barbara Superior Court entered a tentative ruling on October 14, 2025 and finalized the ruling the following day. Read more.
Additional California Developments
Wind and Solar
California joined a multistate coalition in suing to block the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s termination of the $7 billion Solar for All Program. CA OAG (October 15, 2025) NBC News (October 17, 2025).
Carbon Capture
California Resources Corp. broke ground on California’s first commercial carbon capture and storage project, known as Carbon TerraVault 1, in Elk Hills in Kern County. Politico (October 16, 2025).
Oil and Gas
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo will propose a resolution to authorize the creation of the Fuel Resiliency Subcommittee. The governor’s office stated that Nevada “relies entirely on imported transportation fuels, primarily from California, leaving the state exposed to refinery closures, market volatility, and infrastructure bottlenecks.” Nevada Governor’s Office (October 16, 2025).
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors will discuss a proposed ordinance to ban new oil and gas production and phase out existing facilities. A prohibition on new drilling could be adopted within six months. Noozhawk (October 19, 2025).
Interesting Reads
Julie Watson, “Trump officials back firm in fight over California offshore oil drilling after huge spill,” AP, October 15, 2025.
Gabriela Facio, “Gov. Newsom’s signs oil bill that threatens the health of Californians,” Sacramento Bee, October 15, 2025.
“California Attacks Business Free Speech: Its mandated climate disclosures violate the First Amendment,” WSJ, October 12, 2025.
Ella Heydenfeldt, “Newsom’s Energy Package Sparks Regional Momentum,” Santa Barbara Independent, October 15, 2025.
Katie Davis, “Phase Out Oil to Protect Our Health and Environment,” Santa Barbara Independent, October 14, 2025.
Romain Fonsegrives, “California’s Oil Capital Hopes For A Renaissance Under Trump, Barrons, October 19, 2025.
Hayley Smith, “California invests big in battery energy storage — and leaves rolling blackouts behind,” Los Angeles Times, October 17, 2025.
Vitaliy Daviy, “Macro problems for microgrids in California,” PV Magazine, October 20, 2025.
Additional News
Climate Policy
The EU has pledged to work on clean energy and climate action with US local authorities and businesses rather than focusing on the federal government. FT (October 14, 2025).
The World Meteorological Organization said in an annual study released ahead of the U.N.’s annual climate conference that CO2 growth rates have now tripled since the 1960s and reached levels that existed more than 800,000 years ago. AP (October 15, 2025).
Renewable Energy
A record amount of renewable energy capacity was added globally last year, but that still left countries short of targets towards meeting a U.N. climate goal to triple capacity by 2030, according to a new report. Reuters (October 14, 2025).
The abrupt cuts to U.S. federal clean energy incentives alongside fresh support for coal and gas-fired power will trigger a swell in North America’s emissions in the coming decades as the U.S. generation mix remains fossil fuel reliant. Reuters (October 15, 2025).
Trump energy advisor says there’s a way to succeed as a renewable energy firm: “It can’t be subsidized by the US taxpayer — the president has been 100% clear on that. And we don’t want it reliant on foreign sources like China.” Semafor (October 15, 2025).
Critical Minerals
China’s new restrictions on rare earth exports require overseas firms to obtain Chinese government approval before exporting products containing certain rare earths that originated in China. Bloomberg (October 14, 2025).
Western companies have warned that the renewed US-China dispute over rare-earth materials will lead to “broken” supply chains and higher prices for chips, cars and weapons as industry executives plead for de-escalation between the two trading powers. FT (October 13, 2025).
The United States could take equity stakes in more U.S. companies in the wake of China’s new restrictions on rare earth exports, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. CNBC (October 15, 2025); New York Times (October 15, 2025).
China’s exports of rare earth magnets fell in September, reigniting fears that the world’s top supplier could wield its dominance over a component key for U.S. defense firms and makers of items from cars to smartphones as leverage in trade talks. Reuters (October 20, 2025).
President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a critical minerals agreement aimed at countering China. Reuters (October 20, 2025).
Oil and Gas
The head of Saudi Aramco warned of a global oil shortage on the horizon, after a decade in which the energy industry turned its back on the search for new oil. He called for a return to spending on exploration and production as global demand for oil continued to grow, saying current investment was “extremely low.” FT (October 15, 2025).
The US and Canada are considering reviving the Keystone XL, a controversial oil pipeline, as part of a grand bargain to ease some of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum. FT (October 16, 2025).
Interesting Reads
Michael Froman, “China, the United States, and a Critical Chokepoint on Minerals,” Council on Foreign Relations, October 17, 2025.
Rachel Millard, “Offshore wind buffeted by economic and political storms,” FT, October 18, 2025.