States Call Presidential Offshore Leasing Pause Unconstitutional

A Louisiana-led coalition of states and oil and gas industry groups is seeking a quick win in their case challenging the Biden administration’s offshore drilling pause.

They argued in summary judgment motions filed in the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana the statute that allows for such moves is itself unconstitutional.

The Gulf Energy Alliance, the American Petroleum Institute, and five Republican-led coastal states—including Alabama, Alaska, Georgia, and Mississippi—in January sued the Biden administration for withdrawing from offshore oil and gas leasing. They claimed the move was unconstitutional and violated the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

President ...