A U.S. federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit brought by environmental groups that sought to block President Donald Trump’s order permitting offshore drilling in coastal areas previously withdrawn from development.
U.S. District Judge Sharon L. Gleason in Alaska ruled the case was premature because drilling in the disputed federal waters was not imminent. The judge did not address the merits of whether presidents have the legal authority to reverse predecessors’ withdrawals of coastal areas from drilling access.
The lawsuit was filed by the Northern Alaska Environmental Center and Earthjustice, which argued Trump’s order unlawfully sought to reopen areas protected by former President Joe Biden. Biden had banned new offshore oil and gas development along most U.S. coastlines before Trump took office, though the move was largely symbolic as it did not affect areas with existing drilling operations and primarily covered zones with limited development potential.
Earthjustice said in a statement it was disappointed by the ruling and would pursue the claims if offshore activities become imminent. The group stated it maintains Trump’s attempt to open the withdrawn areas for oil leasing was unlawful.
The dismissal allows the environmental groups to refile the lawsuit in the future if drilling activities in the contested waters progress.
