Palisades Oil Drilling Revived

Occidental Petroleum Co. won a minor City Hall victory today in its quest to drill for oil along Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades.

After a harsh exchange between City Council members, the obscure Board of Referred Powers overruled an earlier decision that found Occidental’s project seriously flawed. Today’s decision will be appealed to the state Coastal Commission. Several legal obstacles remain before drilling can begin.