Santa Barbara beachfront owner files class-action against pipeline company over oil spill

A Santa Barbara County woman who owns beachfront property has sued the operators of the pipeline that spilled oil on the coast last month.

The lawsuit Alexandra Geremia filed Tuesday against Plains All American Pipeline seeks to represent more than 3,000 other homeowners along the shore.

The lawsuit filed in Los Angeles is at least the fourth proposed class-action against Plains since the May 19 spill blackened beaches and spread oil at least 100 miles. Beaches and campgrounds were closed, fishing was prohibited nearby, and nearly 300 dead marine mammals and birds have been found.

Geremia says her family's property has been spoiled by oil and tar.

Plains says it regrets the spill. The Texas company says it is addressing claims filed against it, but it has not commented on litigation.