Sierra Club v. Two Elk Generation Partners, L.P.

The Sierra Club filed suit against a proposed tar sands oil project, alleging that it will harm human health by, among other things, increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the complaint alleges that the Department of the Interior (DOI) and other defendants violated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Administrative Policy Act by failing to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and failing to allow for public participation in DOI’s decision. The complaint further alleges that the project anticipates the construction of 288 closely-spaced new oil wells. According to the Sierra Club, greenhouse gas emissions from tar sands production are three times those of conventional oil and gas production.