Planning panel calls for more research on pipeline

County commission reviews addition of 16 new valves for pipeline now owned by ExxonMobil

By KATHERINE ZEHNDER NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER

The Santa Barbara County Planning Commision is calling for more research on addition of valves to the old Plains All American Pipeline, now owned by ExxonMobil.

The pipeline has been shut down since a 2015 rupture that resulted in the Refugio oil spill off the Gaviota Coast. ExxonMobil bought the pipeline in October.

Meeting Wednesday in Santa Barbara, the commission voted 3-2 to direct staff to conduct further research. This could lead to either ultimate denial of the applicants’ request for the upgrade or further review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Staff will report findings back to the planning commission during the April 26 planning commission meeting when this item is resumed.

The motion passed 3-2 with commissioners Larry Ferini (4th District) and Victor Martinez (5th District) voting in opposition.

The staff report at Wednesday’s hearing was presented by Katie Nall. This hearing concerned the appeal of the Plains Line 901-903 Valve Upgrade Amendment. This is a request for an amendment in a coastal development permit to install 16 new valves along the existing 901-903 pipeline system running from the Gaviota Coast to Los Padres National Forest within Santa Barbara County.

The project would amend the originally approved Celeron/All American Pipeline

Project Major Conditional Use Permit and final development plan as revised in 1988.

Most of the public comments were in support of the appellants seeking denial of the valve project. They said the broader issue goes beyond the approval of ExxonMobil’s request for the 16 valves.

The public commenters and the commissioners expressed concern that the new valves would lead to a reopening of the pipeline or even construction of a new pipeline. The project is seen as necessary to