Tucson, AZ - Chair Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement following the decision by the District Court of the District of Columbia to revoke oil and gas leases in the Gulf of Mexico tonight.
“These leases were a climate disaster waiting to happen. Judge Contreras is correct in finding that the law requires careful analysis of all future greenhouse gas emissions that would result from this harmful sale. This decision is a welcome chance to reset our federal fossil fuel leasing policies and limit carbon emissions while there is still time to prevent the most disastrous outcomes of climate change."
Chair Grijalva, along with subcommittee chairs Alan Lowenthal (D-Calif.) and Jared Huffman (D-Calif) filed an amicus brief on behalf of the plaintiffs in the case in December.
Additionally, the Energy and Mineral Resources subcommittee held an oversight hearing on the issue last week.
