Trump administration waiver of environmental rules in pushing wall construction damaged federal lands, disrupted natural water flow and wildlife migration and destroyed sacred tribal areas, U.S. Government Accountability Office audit claims.
A new Interior Dept. rule largely echoes changes made in the wake of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster that were later walked back under the Trump administration.
Court is expected to consolidate a Sept. 25 lawsuit from attorneys general of 17 states, New York City and the District of Columbia with earlier one filed by environmental groups.
Two Interior Dept. bureaus have concluded that oil and gas well-stimulation techniques, including hydraulic fracturing, off the coast of California do not pose a significant environmental risk.