Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, together with 14 other attorneys general, has filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump Administration's declaration of an "energy emergency." The lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, aims to halt an executive order that claims a national emergency to expedite fossil fuel projects while bypassing environmental protections.
President Trump's Energy Emergency Executive Order, issued on January 20, 2025, instructs federal agencies to speed up permits for energy projects by avoiding established environmental review processes under laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. This includes Section 401 of the Clean Water Act which allows states to assess federal permit applications for compliance with state water quality standards. These reviews are crucial for safeguarding Michigan’s Great Lakes and public health.
The coalition contends that the administration is misusing emergency powers for non-emergency projects, maintaining reliance on coal, oil, and gas despite high energy production levels. Major energy companies reportedly do not intend to increase output due to this order. Notably, renewable sources like wind and solar are excluded from this directive.
"True emergencies are disasters that directly impact residents, not fake crises to pad Big Oil’s profits," said Nessel. She criticized President Trump for using executive orders in favor of his campaign donors at the expense of environmental safety.
The attorneys general seek a court declaration deeming the president's directive illegal and preventing further issuance of emergency permits under it. The states involved in filing include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.