Green Groups Struggle to Assert Standing to Block Oil Drilling

Members of environmental groups have standing to challenge oil and gas well drilling permits on federal lands based in part on threats to their ability to watch birds, environmental groups argued before a panel of appeals court judges Thursday.

Proximity to oil and gas wells is also key to establish standing to sue, Kyle Tisdel, an attorney for the Western Environmental Law Center, argued before the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Legal precedent recognizes that a desire to observe plants and animals for aesthetic purposes is a cognizable interest supporting standing to challenge threats against ...