Filed Date: Feb. 19, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This case challenged the President's authority to allegedly unilaterally revoke environmental protections and open offshore areas to oil and gas leasing. On February 19, 2025, the Northern Alaska Environmental Center and nine other environmental organizations filed this case in the United States District Court for the District of Alaska. They named President Donald Trump, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Commerce as Defendants. After his inauguration, President Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14148, titled “Initial Rescissions of Harmful Executive Orders and Actions,” on January 20, 2025, which in relevant part removed protections put in place under the Biden administration for certain areas of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf in the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico. The Plaintiffs alleged that this EO, and Defendants’ subsequent implementation actions, exceeded presidential authority in violation of the U.S. Constitution and unlawfully revoked protections for offshore areas previously withdrawn from oil and gas leasing under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), 43 U.S.C. § 1341(a).
During his presidency, President Biden issued two executive memoranda on January 6, 2025, permanently withdrawing certain Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf of Mexico offshore areas from future oil and gas leasing. The plaintiffs contend that OCSLA grants the President authority to withdraw lands from leasing but does not grant authority to revoke prior withdrawals, making Trump’s executive order ultra vires (beyond legal authority) and unconstitutional.
The lawsuit was brought under several legal claims. Plaintiffs argued that Trump’s revocation of Biden’s withdrawals exceeds the authority granted under OCSLA. Additionally, they claimed that only Congress can modify OCSLA withdrawals, not the President alone, based on the Separation of Powers (Articles II & III of the U.S. Constitution). If offshore leasing resumes, plaintiffs assert that it will harm protected species such as polar bears, whales, and sea turtles, violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA), 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq. The complaint referenced potential violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and Endangered Species Act (ESA) due to the environmental impacts of expanded oil and gas leasing. Plaintiffs argue that the executive order threatens protected marine species and ecosystems.
The plaintiffs, represented by Earthjustice, Natural Resources Defense Council, Oceana, and other environmental counsel, sought declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the implementation of Trump’s executive order and to block any new offshore oil and gas leasing in the affected regions. This case is in front of Chief Judge Sharon L. Gleason.
The case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Karma Karira (2/28/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69652665/parties/northern-alaska-environmental-center-v-trump/
Ancel, Devorah (Alaska)
Foster, Hannah Payne (Alaska)
Grafe, Erik Clifford (Alaska)
Gutierrez, Irene Vibal (Alaska)
Doig, Cody (Alaska)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69652665/northern-alaska-environmental-center-v-trump/
Last updated April 21, 2025, 3:40 p.m.
State / Territory: Alaska
Case Type(s):
Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Environmental Protections)
Key Dates
Filing Date: Feb. 19, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Multiple environmental organizations, led by Northern Alaska Environmental Center. NORTHERN ALASKA ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, ALASKA WILDERNESS LEAGUE, OCEANA, INC., SIERRA CLUB, SURFRIDER FOUNDATION, HEALTHY GULF, CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY, TURTLE ISLAND RESTORATION NETWORK, NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL, INC., and GREENPEACE, INC.
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Attorney Organizations:
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
United States of America (- United States (national) -), Federal
Secretary of the Interior (- United States (national) -), Federal
Secretary of Commerce (- United States (national) -), Federal
President Donald J. Trump (- United States (national) -), Federal
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.
National Environmental Protection Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 4321–4370f
Endangered Species Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.
Constitutional Clause(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Environmental Justice and Resources: