Judge blocks plans to extend Calif. leases

A federal judge blocked plans to extend leases for oil and gas drilling off the central California coast Aug. 12, ruling that the Bush administration did not adequately consider possible damage to the ocean and marine life.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken came a day after the California Coastal Commission unanimously voted against renewing the leases, a decision that set up a potential legal battle with the federal government.

Wilken ruled that the U.S. Interior Department failed to analyze the environmental impact of future oil exploration and production that would be possible under the 37 offshore leases, according to Drew Caputo, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of several groups that sued to block the leases.

The Interior Department would not comment until a written ruling is issued.

—The Associated Press