Skip to content
The Climate Litigation Database
Litigation

Lighthouse Resources, Inc. v. Inslee

About this case

Documents

Filing Date
Type
Action Taken
Document
Summary
03/23/2021
Decision
Appeal dismissed.
After the developer of a proposed coal export terminal in Washington filed for bankruptcy and rejected its rights to the development site, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the developer’s appeal of a district court decision in the developer’s lawsuit asserting that Washington officials’ actions denying a Section 401 water quality certification and a sublease of aquatic lands were preempted by federal law and in violation of the dormant Commerce Clause. The district court dismissed the preemption claims and abstained from considering the dormant Commerce Clause claims. In their motion to dismiss the appeal, the Washington officials and environmental groups that intervened on their behalf argued that the developer’s bankruptcy made the case moot.
01/20/2021
Motion To Dismiss
Joint motion to dismiss filed by defendants-appellees and intervenor-defendants-appellees.
02/19/2020
Reply
Joint reply brief filed by appellants.
01/06/2020
Amicus Motion/Brief
Amicus brief filed by California and other states in support of appellees-defendants.
12/30/2019
Brief
Joint answering brief filed by defendants-appellees.
08/29/2019
Decision
Motion to dismiss appeal for lack of jurisdiction denied without prejudice to renewing arguments in answering brief.

Summary

Action against Washington State officials for allegedly taking unlawful actions to block coal export terminal.