Conservation groups are dropping a federal lawsuit they filed against Kauai’s electric utility after deciding the company is taking important steps to protect threatened seabirds. 

The groups acted on Monday, more than a year after suing Kauai Island Utility Cooperative. 

They alleged the utility violated the Endangered Species Act by refusing to implement measures to protect Hawaiian petrels and Newell’s shearwaters colliding with power lines.

Hui Hoomalu i Ka Aina, the Conservation Council for Hawaii, the Center for Biological Diversity and the American Bird Conservancy filed the suit. Earthjustice is representing them. 

A few months after the lawsuit, the utility was indicted on 19 counts of violating the Endangered Species Act and The Migratory Bird Treaty Act.