Environmental advocates today criticized the federal government’s decision to grant a permit for underwater repairs that they say will allow the restart of a 42-year-old pipeline that ruptured off Orange County in October 2021, releasing thousands of gallons of oil into the Pacific Ocean. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit on Friday authorizing “regulated activities associated with the San Pedro Bay Pipeline RepairProject – Permanent Reconstruction Activities.” Last year’s spill was one of the largest in California in recent years, covering more than 8,000 acres. Beaches were closed for days, and the oil killed or injured thousands of birds and other marine wildlife and led to expensive cleanup efforts. The source was a damaged pipeline connecting Platform Elly to Long Beach. “The Biden administration just ramped up the risk of yet another ugly oil spill on California’s beautiful coast,” said Brady Bradshaw, a senior campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity’s oceans program.”Unfortunately, people living near offshore drilling infrastructure are all too familiar with this abusive cycle of drill, spill, repeat. We need to quickly phase out all dangerous, failing offshore oil infrastructure, not issue more permits that invite the next disaster.” For the full story click the link in our bio, where you can also sign up for our newsletters and become a member to support local journalism #longbeach #oilspill #orangecounty