A federal judge has reportedly dismissed an environmental coalition's lawsuit challenging US President Donald Trump's expansion of offshore drilling in the Arctic and other areas, according to media outlets on Monday.
Chief Judge Sharon Gleason of the US District Court for the District of Alaska found the case lacking in legal substance. The groups, led by the Northern Alaska Environmental Center, failed to show imminent harm from Trump's decision, E&E News by Politico reported.
Gleason reportedly said that the issuance of permits for oil exploration involves multiple steps and does not pose immediate harm to the groups.
The Interior Department, responsible for issuing oil and gas leases and drilling permits, did not immediately respond to' request for comment.
Trump, in 2025, reversed an order by his predecessors to permanently ban oil and gas development in the outer continental shelf, including parts of the Arctic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico.
Gleason did not rule on whether a US president possess the power to reverse coastal drilling bans, and allowed the coalition to refile their lawsuit, according to Reuters.
Earthjustice, an advocacy group representing the environmental coalition, reportedly said that Trump's move is unlawful and that it would refile the case if any offshore activities surface.
The groups warned that any fossil fuel development in offshore waters could harm marine life and local Native American communities.
has reached out to Earthjustice for comment.