Justice Department Sues Hawaii and Michigan Over Climate Litigation Plans
May 2, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated unprecedented lawsuits against Hawaii and Michigan, challenging their intentions to sue fossil fuel companies for climate-related damages. The federal government argues that these state actions overstep constitutional boundaries and interfere with federal energy policies.
Hawaii and Michigan had planned to hold major oil companies accountable for their contributions to climate change. Hawaii’s lawsuit, filed in 2020, accused companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell of misleading the public about the environmental impact of fossil fuels. Similarly, Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel announced plans to sue the fossil fuel industry, stating that the companies prioritized profits over environmental and public health concerns. (michiganadvance.com)
The Justice Department contends that such state-led lawsuits conflict with federal authority and disrupt interstate commerce. Attorney General Pamela Bondi criticized these initiatives, claiming they harm energy independence and economic stability. (apnews.com)
Democratic state officials defend their actions as necessary to hold polluters accountable and address climate crises. They argue that the federal government’s intervention undermines state rights and efforts to combat climate change. (apnews.com)
Legal experts view the Justice Department’s move as an aggressive defense of the fossil fuel industry, potentially setting a precedent for future federal challenges to state climate actions. This development underscores the ongoing tension between federal and state authorities over environmental regulations and climate change mitigation efforts.
Justice Department Challenges State Climate Lawsuits:
- Justice Department sues Hawaii, Michigan, Vermont and New York over state climate actions
- Trump administration sues Hawaii, Michigan to block planned climate change lawsuits
- Trump’s new energy order puts states’ climate laws in the crosshairs of the Department of Justice
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