The U.S. Department of Justice filed lawsuits this week against Hawaii, Michigan, New York, and Vermont, claiming their climate policies directly conflict with federal authority and President Donald Trump’s energy dominance agenda. The move marks a sharp escalation in the administration’s push to block state-led efforts targeting fossil fuel companies.
On Wednesday, the DOJ challenged legal action plans in Hawaii and Michigan against energy companies over alleged climate damages. On Thursday, the DOJ followed with lawsuits against New York and Vermont over their newly enacted climate superfund laws, which would force oil and gas firms to pay into state-controlled funds based on historic emissions.
“These burdensome and ideologically motivated laws and lawsuits threaten American energy independence and our country’s economic and national security,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. She emphasized the DOJ’s aim to stop “illegitimate impediments” to energy production.
The DOJ argues that these state laws violate the Constitution, disrupt the national energy market, and are preempted by the federal Clean Air Act, which gives the Environmental Protection Agency authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. DOJ filings claim the laws could undermine investment and innovation in the fossil fuel sector.
The states, all led by Democrats, pushed back. Hawaii’s governor and attorney general defended their lawsuit against major energy companies, citing harm from climate-related disasters like the Lahaina wildfire. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel called the DOJ action “frivolous,” confirming her intent to move forward with a lawsuit despite the federal government’s attempt to block it preemptively.
New York’s Superfund Act seeks $75 billion from polluters. Vermont’s version has no specified target but follows a similar model. Trump has slammed these as “extortion,” aimed at extracting money from energy producers.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Attorney General Letitia James vowed to continue their fight against what they called “corporate polluters,” rejecting what they see as federal overreach. Vermont’s AG Charity Clark also said she’s ready to defend the law in court.
Legal experts say the DOJ’s move is highly unusual. Instead of intervening in existing lawsuits, the department is trying to prevent some states from filing them at all. “It’s an aggressive move in support of the fossil fuel industry,” said Michael Gerrard of Columbia Law School.
At the same time, the Trump administration’s EPA, under Administrator Lee Zeldin, is reportedly aiming to overturn the EPA’s own finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health. Critics say this contradicts the DOJ’s position that the Clean Air Act preempts state authority.
Trump’s energy policy continues to prioritize fossil fuel production. The administration has expanded oil and gas leasing, rolled back environmental protections, and blocked green energy mandates in a bid to secure long-term energy independence.
