The Center for Biological Diversity is pushing back against Trump-era rollbacks on endangered species protections amid new oil, pipeline, and environmental deregulation. Founded in 1989 to defend wildlife through legal action and activism.
The Endangered Species Committee, known as the 'God Squad,' voted to exempt oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from endangered species protections. The move, justified by national security concerns, follows a request from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth amid rising energy prices and global tensions. Environmental groups oppose the exemption, citing risks to species like the Rice's whale.
State officials are calling for a court order to stop Sable Offshore from using a pipeline through Gaviota State Park. The pipeline has been idle since 2015 after a major spill, but the Biden administration has invoked the Defense Production Act to restart operations, citing national security and energy needs. Legal battles are intensifying as California authorities oppose the federal move, arguing it oversteps state rights. Sable has already produced over 1 million barrels and plans to increase output with new wells. The case highlights tensions between federal authority and state regulations amid ongoing energy security concerns.
The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously ruled that Michigan's lawsuit to shut down part of the Line 5 pipeline will stay in state court. Justice Sotomayor has found that Enbridge Energy missed the deadline to move the case to federal court, reinforcing state authority over pipeline regulation amid environmental concerns.