Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, along with attorneys general from 14 other states, has filed a lawsuit challenging a recent federal energy emergency declaration issued by the Trump Administration. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
According to Mass.gov, the emergency, established under Executive Order 14156 on January 20, directs federal agencies to fast-track energy projects, potentially bypassing environmental protections under laws such as the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.
The attorneys general argue that the declaration may negatively impact environmental and public health safeguards. They also note that the order does not include support for renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, or battery storage, despite their lower environmental impact.
The lawsuit raises concerns about the use of the National Emergencies Act, which has traditionally been invoked in response to events like natural disasters and oil spills. The complaint challenges whether current conditions meet the criteria for such an emergency.
Earlier in the week, AG Campbell joined a separate lawsuit opposing federal actions that could limit wind energy development. The states involved in the legal challenge include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.
