WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal court has ruled that the U.S. Department of the Interior’s approval of a massive offshore oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf of Mexico violated federal environmental law. The court found that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management failed to adequately assess the risks the sale posed to the climate and to critically endangered Rice’s whales. The decision marks a significant legal win for Gulf communities, conservation groups, and environmental justice advocates.
The following is a reaction from Julia Forgie, senior attorney, litigation, at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“As the Trump administration embraces a ‘drill, baby, drill’ mentality, now more than ever it’s imperative that the courts continue to uphold the law. Justice prevailed here, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management must fully assess the impacts of this destructive oil and gas lease sale in the Gulf, including harm to critically endangered Rice’s whales. It’s a much-needed win for the environment and for the communities in the Gulf.”
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).
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