AG Brown Washington and California lead coalition of states to challenge Trumps fake energy emergency

Washington state, alongside 14 other states, filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's declaration of a “national energy emergency,” claiming it prioritizes Big Oil at the expense of environmental protections. The suit alleges that the declaration allows federal agencies to bypass critical reviews mandated by laws such as the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. U. S. energy production currently stands at an all-time high, with companies indicating no plans to increase output in response to the president's directive.

The lawsuit argues that the real emergency stems from the president's opposition to climate change initiatives. The attorneys general request that the court declare the president's actions illegal and prevent the issuance of emergency permits under his order. Historically, emergency procedures were reserved for genuine crises like hurricanes or oil spills, not for advancing political agendas. This legal challenge underscores the ongoing conflict between state-level climate policies and federal energy strategies. The outcome could significantly impact future energy regulations and environmental protections across the country.