DOJ Sues Four Democratic States Over Climate Initiatives That Defy Trump’s Energy Policies
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against four Democrat-governed states, alleging that their climate initiatives conflict with federal law and President Donald Trump’s energy policies.
On Wednesday, the DOJ initiated legal action against Hawaii and Michigan. The lawsuits challenge the states’ plans to pursue fossil fuel companies over alleged environmental damages.
In addition, the DOJ also sued New York and Vermont. These states have enacted climate superfund laws requiring fossil fuel companies to contribute to state-managed funds based on historical greenhouse gas emissions.
Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement condemning the state laws as “burdensome” and “ideologically motivated.” She asserted that such policies threaten American energy independence and national security.
Bondi emphasized that the DOJ is working to implement the Trump administration’s energy agenda. The administration’s stated goal is to promote affordable and reliable domestic energy, per Trending Politics.
The DOJ filings argue that the state policies improperly regulate emissions beyond their borders. The suits claim the actions obstruct the Clean Air Act’s framework and infringe on the EPA’s regulatory authority.
The Clean Air Act gives the federal government, specifically the EPA, power to regulate air emissions. The DOJ maintains that this authority preempts state-level efforts to control out-of-state emissions.
In its case against Hawaii and Michigan, the DOJ contends the states are overstepping the Clean Air Act by targeting oil and gas firms for greenhouse gas emissions.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel had previously hired a private firm to investigate fossil fuel companies for alleged climate damage. In Hawaii, Governor Josh Green blamed oil firms for environmental degradation, including the 2023 Lahaina wildfire.
The office of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer directed media inquiries to Nessel, who defended the state’s position in a public statement.
Nessel dismissed the DOJ lawsuit as “frivolous,” suggesting it could even be subject to sanctions. She stated that her office remains committed to pursuing legal action against fossil fuel companies.
Nessel also suggested the Trump administration and oil companies are trying to prevent her office from bringing legal claims to court.
The DOJ also targeted the climate superfund laws enacted by New York and Vermont. These laws are modeled after a federal superfund statute designed to fund the cleanup of hazardous waste sites.
New York is seeking $75 million in damages from fossil fuel companies. This move has already drawn legal opposition from 22 other states.
Vermont has passed similar legislation but has not disclosed its enforcement plans or financial targets.
The DOJ described the states’ superfund policies as attempts to extract money from companies under the guise of environmental regulation.
Federal lawyers argued that such laws aim to regulate the global impact of greenhouse gas emissions, thus exceeding the jurisdiction of individual states.
The lawsuits are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to reassert federal control over energy and environmental policy.
The outcome of these cases could have wide-ranging implications for state-level climate litigation and national energy regulation.
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