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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2002

A federal appeals court on Monday blocked the Bush administration's attempt to renew drilling off the coast of California.

In a unanimous decision, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the state of California and numerous environmental groups. A three-judge panel said Secretary of Interior Gale Norton failed to perform a proper environmental analysis for the oil leases.

The court also backed California's review of the leases under state environmental standards.

Get the Story:
Court Blocks Offshore Oil Leases in Calif. (The Washington Post 12/3)

Get the Decision:
STATE OF CALIFORNIA v. NORTON No. 0116637p (12/02/2002)

Related Stories:
Calif. off-shore drilling barred (07/18)
Court urged to allow offshore drilling (06/11)
Calif. pushes for oil protections too (05/31)
Bush appealing drilling decision (02/13)