Texas Judge Dismisses ExxonMobil Antitrust Claim

A federal judge in Alaska dismissed environmental groups’ challenge to President Trump’s revival of offshore drilling, ruling the plaintiffs lacked standing because they could not show imminent harm. The decision comes as the Interior Department moves forward with a new five‑year offshore plan that could reopen Arctic, Pacific, Atlantic, and Gulf areas previously withdrawn from development. The court noted that while permits for oil exploration are likely, several steps remain before any harm to the groups could occur, effectively halting the case for now. In a related ruling, another Alaska judge threw out a similar suit as premature, leaving open the possibility for the groups to refile if and when drilling activities appear more proximate. Environmental advocates said they still believe Trump’s actions were unlawful and pledged to pursue claims if offshore activity expands. Collectively, the rulings capture the ongoing legal battle over undoing Biden‑era offshore prohibitions and the broader political clash over U.S. offshore oil and gas development under Trump.