Fisheries Service’s Data Deemed Flawed on Oil Impact to Species

Louisiana and fossil fuel groups won their bid challenging how the National Marine Fisheries Service operates Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.

Summary judgment was appropriate for the plaintiffs because the agency didn’t use proper data or methodology when determining the risk of vessels to a species of whale, Judge James D. Cain of the US District Court for the Western District of Louisiana said Jan. 23.

“At every turn, it reached for confirmation of jeopardy and the inefficacy of current measures by requiring proof of ...