Montana Environmental Information Center v. U.S. Office of Surface Mining

Three environmental groups filed a challenge to a proposed expansion of a coal mine in Montana. They contended the defendants had failed to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by not considering indirect and cumulative effects of increased coal mining, including emissions of greenhouse gases.

A U.S. Federal Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, finding that the environmental review conducted for the coal mine expansion was not sufficient.

Relevant Law and Principles

 * National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

Rulings
A U.S. District Court judge ruled that the environmental assessment for the coal mine expansion had not been sufficient on the grounds that it had not adequately considered all environmental impacts including downstream greenhouse gas emissions.

Takeaways
A successful instance of litigation challenging a fossil fuel project on the grounds that the environmental assessment failed to completely consider climate change impacts.

Links

 * Sabin Center Database
 * Sierra Club Press Release