Trump turns to California offshore oil to help with Iran war
By Chuck Mccutcheon
Published on March 13, 2026.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing the use of the Defense Production Act to increase oil production off Southern California's coast and meet demand following the Iran war. The move is part of a strategy by the president to counterbalance oil price shocks triggered by the war. This move sets up another confrontation with California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential candidate and one of Trump's most persistent critics. The use of this law would preempt state laws and speed permitting for Sable Offshore Corp., a Houston company that has sought to restart production from California offshore platforms. However, California regulators have objected to Sable's plans to reopen the Santa Ynez complex of pipelines needed to transport crude to area refineries.
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