Oil Leases Broke the Law by Not Assessing Climate Impact, Judge Rules

"WASHINGTON — The Obama administration violated federal law by failing to adequately take into account the climate change impact of leasing public land for oil gas drilling in Wyoming, a federal judge ruled Tuesday.

But the decision by the United States District Court for the District of Columbia could also present a legal threat to President Trump’s agenda to quickly expand oil and gas drilling and coal mining across the nation’s public lands and waters. That’s because the decision amounts to a road map that could be used to challenge hundreds of Trump administration leases as well.

However, experts said that, while the decision could lead to legal delays for the drilling expansion envisioned by Mr. Trump by tangling them in litigation, it was unlikely to halt it entirely."

Coral Davenport reports for the New York Times March 20, 2019.

SEE ALSO:

"Federal Judge Demands Trump Administration Reveal How Its Drilling Plans Will Fuel Climate Change" (Washington Post)

"U.S. Judge Blocks Drilling Over Climate Change, Casting Doubt On Trump Agenda" (Reuters)

"Oil And Gas: Court Orders Interior To Redo Climate Analysis" (EnergyWire)

Source: NY Times, 03/21/2019