Environmental groups are urging one of the Supreme Court’s conservative members to bow out of an upcoming case that could limit the scope of environmental review of major projects like dams and pipelines.
In a Thursday letter to the court, Accountable.US, Greenpeace USA and other groups wrote that the case presents a conflict of interest for Justice Neil Gorsuch, who has a close relationship with the billionaire owner of Denver-based Anschutz, an oil and gas company that would benefit if the court decides to restrict the scope of National Environmental Policy Act reviews.
“This case could weaken one of the few avenues for challenging industry-backed projects with environmentally devastating consequences — likely benefiting Anschutz, whose company’s drilling proposals have required Environmental Assessments at least 86 times,” the groups wrote in a letter addressed to Chief Justice John Roberts.
An environmental assessment is a form of review under NEPA, which requires agencies to take a “hard look” at the impact of federal projects.
