South Carolina AG Filed Motion to Intervene in States’ Lawsuit Challenging Permits for Seismic Testing

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson filed a motion to intervene a lawsuit brought by a coalition of state attorneys general against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) challenging the issuance of seismic testing permits for offshore oil and gas drilling along the Atlantic Coast. AG Wilson noted that NOAA failed to provide a factual basis justifying its finding that seismic testing would not jeopardize the existence of threatened or endangered species, rendering the decision arbitrary and capricious. In the complaint, AG Wilson emphasized the threat that seismic testing poses to South Carolina’s fishing and tourism sectors.

• Documents: Motion to Intervene
• Document Type: Motions
• States: South Carolina
• Agencies: Department of Commerce National Marine Fisheries Service National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Issues: Cross-Cutting & Administrative Endangered Species Act Fossil Fuels National Environmental Policy Act 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
• Explanation of Outcome:This case is a win because an executive order was issued that prevented the seismic testing at issue, leading to the case being dismissed.
• Action Type: Litigation