Nine AGs Filed Motion to Intervene in Litigation Challenging Permits for Seismic Testing Along the Atlantic Coast

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh led a coalition of nine state attorneys general in filing a motion to intervene in litigation challenging the Trump administration’s decision to allow five companies to begin seismic testing for oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic Ocean. The attorneys general sought a court injunction halting final authorizations issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration allowing the companies to incidentally harass marine mammals during seismic testing.

• Documents: Motion to InterveneMD Press Release
• Document Type: Motions Press Releases/Statements
• States: Connecticut Delaware Maine Maryland Massachusetts New Jersey New York North Carolina Virginia
• Agencies: Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Issues: Endangered Species Act Fossil Fuels Oceans and Water Policy Offshore Drilling Oil and Gas Public Lands Public Lands & Wildlife Public Lands Leasing Seismic Testing Water Water Pollution Wildlife
• Era: Trump Administration
• Outcome: Win
• Explanation of Outcome:The case was dismissed after an executive order was issued preventing the seismic testing at issue.
• Action Type: Litigation