ELR Citation: 56 ELR 20021
No(s). 22-cv-2696 (TSC) (D.D.C. Feb 27, 2026) (Chutkan, J.)

A district court granted environmental groups' motion for summary judgment in a challenge to BLM's approval of an oil drilling project in Wyoming. The groups argued BLM violated NEPA, the APA, FLPMA, and the Mineral Leasing Act by approving the project and issuing hundreds of applications for permits to drill without taking a "hard look" at impacts to groundwater and greenhouse gas emissions, justifying elimination of alternatives, mitigating air emissions, and preventing unnecessary or undue degradation of public lands. The court found that in eliminating reduced rate of development and greenhouse gas reduction alternatives without further analysis, BLM violated its obligation to rigorously evaluate a reasonable range of alternatives to its proposed action. The court granted the motion for summary judgment, vacated the EIS and record of decision, and remanded to BLM for further consideration.