ELR Citation: 55 ELR 20132
No(s). 1:23-cv-01204 (CJN) (D.D.C. Sep 15, 2025) (Nichols, J.)

A district court denied environmental groups' motion for partial summary judgment in a challenge to FAA's decision granting a license to a commercial space company to test its new reusable launch vehicle at its facility in Texas. The groups argued FAA violated NEPA by granting the license without first preparing an EIS. The court found the conclusions in the EA were well-reasoned and supported by the record, and that while parts of the analysis left something to be desired, they fell "within a broad zone of reasonableness." It denied the groups' motion and granted partial summary judgment for FAA.