United States DC Circuit

In a petition for review of a Department of Interior oil and gas leasing program, the petition is granted in part, where the program's environmental sensitivity rankings were irrational, but denied in part, where Petitioners' remaining claims were unripe because there was no allegation that they would be affected by potential climate change.

Appellate Information

• Argued 10/17/2008
• Decided 04/17/2009
• Published 04/17/2009

Judges

• Before:  SENTELLE, Chief Judge, and GINSBURG and ROGERS, Circuit Judges.

Court

• United States DC Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• William J. Snape III argued the cause for petitioner Center for Biological Diversity.   On the briefs were Matthew Vespa, Andrea A. Treece, Miyoko Sakashita, and Brendan R. Cummings., Peter H. Van Tuyn argued the cause and filed the briefs for petitioners Native Village of Point Hope, et al.  James B. Dougherty entered an appearance., Janis M. Searles was on the brief for amici curiae Ocean Conservancy, et al. in support of petitioners., Deborah A. Sivas was on the brief for amici curiae W. Michael Hanemann and Charles Kolstad in support of petitioners., Steven J. Rosenbaum argued the cause for intervenor.   With him on the brief were Theodore L. Garrett, Mark W. Mosier, and Erik G. Milito.


• For Appellees:
  
• Sambhav N. Sankar, Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, argued the cause for respondent.   With him on the brief was Ryan D. Nelson, Deputy Assistant Attorney General.  Katherine W. Hazard, Attorney, entered an appearance.