In three related lawsuits, Plaintiffs challenged BLM oil and gas lease sales in MT, WY, UT, CO, and NM. They allege that the BLM violated NEPA by failing to (1) analyze direct, indirect, and cumulative GHG emissions of the lease sales and the impacts on climate change; (2) prepare an EIS for GHG emissions that could significantly impact climate; and (3) prepare a programmatic EIS analyzing climate impacts of entire BLM oil and gas leasing program. Plaintiffs seek to vacate the leasing decisions, EAs, and FONSIs and enjoin applications for permit to drill until the BLM prepares a programmatic EIS analysis
the District Court stated “BLM failed to take a ‘hard look’ at GHG emissions from the Wyoming Lease Sales, and therefore the EAs and FONSIs issued for those sales did not comply with NEPA."