Executive order stands as district court addresses lack of specificity.
In January 2021, President Joe Biden paused new leases for oil and gas extraction on federal land, in an effort to address climate change. However, 12 states sued the president’s administration, saying that they would suffer injury from this pause. The Louisiana district court ruled in favor of the states, blocking the administration’s pause on oil and gas leases.
President Biden’s administration appealed the ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and that court vacated the district court’s decision this past week, sending the decision back to the district court. The appellate decision found that the district court’s order and accompanying memorandum “lack specificity.” The pause on oil and gas leasing is still in effect as the case goes back to the district court for a resolution of these critiques.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For judges of the federal appeals courts as they review the rulings of lower courts.
- For wisdom for U.S. district court judges as they hear cases and issue rulings.
- For the president and his administration as they set energy policy surrounding the production of oil and gas.
Sources: Reuters, Washington Post
