Trump administration threatens to revoke California coastal authority over policy disputes
The Trump administration issued a draft review demanding California adopt over a dozen corrective actions, or lose federal funding for its coastal management program.
In a draft assessment released through a public-records request, the Trump administration claims California’s coastal regulators have shown “unjustified hostility” toward offshore drilling, oil and gas projects, and SpaceX launch activities, and threatens to suspend federal funding for the state’s coastal management program unless a series of corrective actions are taken. The 92-page document directs the California Coastal Commission to meet with SpaceX and the Texas-based Sable Offshore Corp., and to issue a statement by January promising not to categorically oppose oil-related initiatives.
The audit cites “environmental extremism” and frames the demand as a response to alleged regulatory overreach. California’s three CZMA-implementing agencies have until Nov. 16 to reply, and have asked for a 15-day extension. Critics, including legal scholars and state officials, warn the unprecedented use of the Coastal Zone Management Act could undermine state rights and pave the way for similar actions elsewhere.
Why it matters
The move could shift control of California’s coastline from the state to the federal government, affecting environmental policy and industry projects.
In this story
