But California blocks any new oil development on environmental grounds.
The project was delayed because of a lawsuit that sought to block it on environmental and other grounds.
By August 2008 hundreds of sites are temporarily blocked on similar grounds.
This week, the state, which has the power to block the development on environmental grounds, conditionally approved the plan.
Last fall the court blocked the deal on antitrust grounds, but has been asked to reconsider.
But the State Department blocked the move, on the ground of diplomatic immunity.
They were thwarted by the Republican leadership, which blocked a vote on procedural grounds.
Congress has been asked to deal with the question of whether coloring films might be blocked on moral or artistic grounds.
Laurie had established a successful law practice by this time, although his application to take silk in 1962 was blocked on political grounds.
Forty lawsuits have been filed seeking to block the testing on constitutional grounds.