Judge Hands Federal Government Major Legal Defeat in Gulf of Mexico

The Epoch Times Header

A federal judge struck down a Biden administration rule that would place restrictions on an offshore oil and gas lease sale.

A federal judge struck down a Biden administration rule that would place significant restrictions on an offshore oil and gas lease sale, according to an order issued on Thursday.

In the Thursday evening ruling, Judge James Cain of the Western District of Louisiana ordered the Biden administration to expand its sale of the Gulf of Mexico oil leases later this month, according to multiple news reports. It came after the state of Louisiana, the American Petroleum Institute group, Chevron, and Shell filed a lawsuit to block the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s restrictions on Lease Sale 261, a sale that is scheduled for next week.

The judge ruled that the sale must occur by Sept. 30 under its original conditions.

“The court observes that plaintiffs have demonstrated substantial potential costs resulting from the challenged provisions,” Judge Cain wrote. “While the government defendants largely focus on the acreage withdrawal and dynamics of the sale itself, many of plaintiffsโ€™ alleged hardships arise from the vessel restrictions.”

Plaintiffs, he wrote, have demonstrated a ” likelihood that these will burden their operations on current and planned leases,” adding, “the resulting costs would not be undone by the courtโ€™s entry of a permanent injunction and order of another sale.”

In a criticism of the Biden administration’s rulemaking, he said it appeared to be “a weaponization of the Endangered Species Act than the collaborative, reasoned approach prescribed by the applicable laws and regulations.” The judge wrote that federal officials, meanwhile, have attempted to “provide scientific justification to a political reassessment of offshore drilling” by issuing restrictions on the lease sale.

Federal officials in late August issued the restrictions in a bid to protect a Gulf of Mexico whale species after it came to a settlement with a coalition of environmental organizations. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a notice that had expanded protections for the Rice’s whale, which is listed as an endangered species.

Byย Jack Phillips

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Beijing and Moscow Double Down on Propping Up Tehran, Threaten to Give It Nukes

As anyone who understands how these things unfold could...

The Looming Threat To Our Homeland

After success of โ€œOperation Midnight Hammer,โ€ where U.S. military bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, the threat to America has never been greater.

Trumpโ€™s Bold Strike on Iran: A Necessary Move for Global Securityย 

Trumpโ€™s airstrikes on Iranโ€™s nuclear facilities have been hailed as a courageous and necessary action to safeguard American interests and global stability.

Groundhog Day came late this year to the Land of Smiles.

itโ€™s the same rigmarole, on whatever pretext, the army commandeers the Thai state with vague promises to restore democracy at some unspecified future date.

Resource number one

Russia has an unsustainable birthrate worsened by mortality rate of Russian males through war and alcoholism. One solution, steal young children from other countries.ย 

21.8 Million US Seniors Paying for Expenses With Only Social Security Income: Survey

An estimated 21.8 million senior citizens in America make ends meet solely using their social security funds, The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) said.

Oil Prices Drop by 7 Percent as Marketโ€™s Iran Fear Factor Fades

Crude oil prices plummeted by more than 7% as investors were optimistic that Iranโ€™s limited retaliation could lead to a de-escalation in the Middle East.

New York Launches First New Nuclear Energy Project in US in 15 Years

Hochul directed NYโ€™s power authority to begin evaluation of techs, business models, and locations to develop stateโ€™s first nuclear power plant in 50 years.

Supreme Court Temporarily Allows Deportations to Third Countries

Supreme Court temporarily lifted lower court order blocking Trump admin from deporting illegals to so-called third countries they have no connection.

Major Victory for Trump Administration and the American People on Deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens to Third Countries

Supreme Court decision allows DHS to deport criminal illegal aliens who are not wanted in their home country to third countries who've agreed to accept them.

No Changes Planned for FDAโ€™s Vaccine Advisory Committee โ€˜At This Timeโ€™: Spokesperson

There are no plans to remove any members of the panel that advises the FDA on vaccines, a spokesperson said on June 20.

Trump Says Trade Deals Expected With India and Pakistan

President Trump expects US will sign trade deals with India and Pakistan, signaling growing momentum in push to reshape global trade through tariff diplomacy.

Trump Says US Intelligence Communityโ€™s Assessment of Iranโ€™s Nuclear Program โ€˜Was Wrongโ€™

President Trump said his director of national intelligenceโ€™s assessment in March that Iran had yet to decide on building a nuclear weapon was wrong.
spot_img

Related Articles