This idea may be a couple of years too early, but we need to figure out a way to lessen the impact the environwackos can have. It's time for a little common sense.
Posted on 08/12/2005 6:02:33 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
SAN FRANCISCO – A federal judge blocked plans to extend leases for oil and gas drilling off the Central California coast Friday, ruling that the Bush administration didn't adequately consider possible damage to the ocean and marine life. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken ruled that the U.S. Interior Department failed to analyze the environmental impact of future oil exploration and production that would be possible under the 37 offshore leases, according to Drew Caputo, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of several groups that sued to block the leases.
The ruling from the bench in Oakland's federal court came a day after the California Coastal Commission unanimously voted against renewing the leases, a decision that set up a potential legal battle with the federal government over drilling off the coast of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
The Interior Department would not comment until a written ruling is issued, said John Romero, a spokesman for the Minerals Management Service.
Bakersfield-based Aera Energy LLC, which has at least partial ownership in 20 of the leases, also declined to comment, said spokeswoman Susan Hersberger.
Judge Wilken said the Interior Department would have to conduct more extensive environmental studies in order to extend the leases held by several petroleum companies, according to the NRDC's Caputo.
"I hope the government decides that they're not going to extend the leases and instead let them expire so the coast can be protected for all Californians," Caputo said.
The ruling comes as the federal government and the U.S. energy industry search for new sources of oil to counter rising prices and reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil.
Environmental groups sued the Interior Department six years ago when it extended the leases, which were originally sold to oil companies between 1968 and 1984 and set to expire in 1999.
While the leases have never been used, they could allow for the exploration, development and production of oil and natural gas if lease holders get additional permits.
The environmentalists argued that the Minerals Management Service could not extend the leases without reviewing environmental impacts under the National Environmental Policy Act. A federal appeals court agreed in 2002 and ordered the agency to perform an environmental analysis.
The conservation groups sued again in March after the agency concluded in February that extending the leases for about one to three years would not have any significant impact on the environment. They alleged that developing all 37 leases would double the historic oil production off the California coast, increase pollution and harm marine life, coral reefs and coastal residents.
Peter Douglas, the California Coastal Commission's executive director, praised the court decision Friday, saying it bolstered the commission's ruling a day earlier.
He said the commission wouldn't approve the leases because the federal government refused to provide information needed to evaluate the impact of future drilling and development. No representatives from federal agencies or oil companies showed up at Thursday's commission meeting in Orange County.
"The coast is the winner in this," Douglas said. "It's bad news for the federal government. We've been telling them for months and months that they had to provide us with this information, and they just blew us off."
I don't care if they have to drill through a blue whale's head, get that oil!
I guess I will have them come pick me up for work now that I am paying 3.00 a gallon and do drive a compact car. ANYONE REMEMBER THE GAS LINES OF THE 70'S odd and even days might be coming back
How far off-shore do you have to go to be outside of California's jurisdiction, anybody know?
Motorists need to take it up with the little "judgey" here.
The War on America and energy independence by the GReen Commie-Controlled Environmental Movement and operatives aka Judges continues..
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It should be no mystery as to WHO AND WHAT is running the state of California, thanks to the braindead, liberal idiots that voted them in...
PC KILLS..and so do liberal judges.
The freaks need to learn to walk!
Clinton appointee,, 1993
Wilken, Claudia Ann
Born 1949 in Minneapolis, MN
Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. District Court, Northern District of California
Nominated by William J. Clinton on October 7, 1993, to a new seat created by 104 Stat. 5089; Confirmed by the Senate on November 20, 1993, and received commission on November 22, 1993.
Education:
Stanford University, B.A., 1971
University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law, J.D., 1975
Professional Career:
Staff attorney, Federal Public Defender's Office, Northern District of California, 1975-1978
Private practice, Berkeley, California, 1978-1984
Adjunct professor, University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law, 1978-1984
Professor, New College School of Law, 1980-1985
U.S. Magistrate, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, 1983-1993
Race or Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
>> ruling that the Bush administration didn't adequately consider possible damage to the ocean and marine life.
Anybody here still want to defend Judicial Review????
It's time for Marbury Vs. Madison to be burried.....
Nominated by William J. Clinton on October 7, 1993, to a new seat created by 104 Stat. 5089; Confirmed by the Senate on November 20, 1993, and received commission on November 22, 1993
This idea may be a couple of years too early, but we need to figure out a way to lessen the impact the environwackos can have. It's time for a little common sense.
It's like a car dealership selling you a car but not letting you even have the keys.
Heckuvadeal.
How funny. You think burying a court case would stop an activist like Wilken? You must be thinking she is a Judge or something. She is a freaking activist, like Susan Sarandon or Micheal Moore, or Jessie Jackson. No difference.
the same thing will happen wil ANWR, even if it passes, judges will block drilling for years.
Perhaps the first start would be to creat binding arbitration courts for this type of case so the judges of the 9th circus never have juridictin.
That would straighten her out pretty quick.
People forget that the American Revolution warmed up by colonists first cutting Magistrates' budgets, then progressing to terrorizing them and their families (not that I'm advocating going THAT far, of course).
I'll have to do some digging, 'cause now I'm curious as to when CA's jurisdiction ends, Federal jurisdiction (if that exists) begins and how far before it becomes international waters.
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