ELR Citation: 56 ELR 20040
No(s). 2:26-cv-00107-DC-SCR (E.D. Cal. Mar 31, 2026) (Coggins, J.)

A district court denied the federal government's motion to preliminarily enjoin a California statute that prohibits drilling of new oil and gas wells within 3,200 feet of "sensitive receptors" such as residences, schools, and hospitals. The government challenged the statute on preemption grounds, arguing it violated the Supremacy Clause and infringed on its authority to manage federal lands and mineral resources under the Property Clause, the Mineral Leasing Act, and FLPMA. The court found the government did not demonstrate it was likely to succeed in showing the statute conflicted with federal law because the statute was a reasonable environmental regulation that did not preclude alternative methods of accessing oil and gas within those locations and the vast majority of federal leased lands were not within 3,200 feet of sensitive receptors. It also found the government did not show it was likely to suffer irreparable harm given its substantial delay in seeking injunctive relief and the speculative nature of its alleged harm. The court denied the motion.