The Region - News from Jan. 8, 1987

Exxon Corp. was precluded by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals from filing a federal court challenge to the state Coastal Commission’s objections to plans for year-around drilling of an oil well in the Santa Barbara Channel. The appellate court based its decision on the fact that U.S. Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldridge already upheld the commission’s objections. The justices said Exxon would have to file a separate suit contesting the Baldridge ruling--which means the company would have to prove the Commerce Department acted unreasonably.