Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell of Massachusetts has taken a strong stance against the Trump Administration's latest move to cut energy and infrastructure funding. As reported on Mass.gov, AG Campbell, alongside a coalition of 13 other attorneys general, filed a suit alleging the decision to nix funding for these federally mandated programs is nothing short of unlawful. The coalition is targeting the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for their roles in extinguishing billions of dollars earmarked for energy and infrastructure projects across the United States.
As stated on Mass.gov, the cuts imposed by the Trump Administration could deal a heavy blow to the economy of Massachusetts, stunting the state's progress on renewable energy and climate objectives. Campbell herself has voiced concern, stating, "The president cannot override funding decisions made by Congress and strip our communities of money they are legally entitled to." AG Campbell's contention reflects a broader resistance to what the coalition deems a direct assault on the legal allocation of funds by Congress, as well as on the separation of powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
Actions taken by the Trump Administration included a declaration of a so-called "national energy emergency" and intentions to abolish what the President labeled the "Green New Deal." In response, the DOE created a "kill list" to systematically cancel energy and infrastructure projects pegged by laws such as the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the 2022 IRA. This was followed by an OMB statement, posted on X by Director Russell Vought, detailing the termination of nearly $8 billion in funding for what was derogatorily called the "Green New Scam." According to Mass.gov, this move disproportionally affected Democratic-leaning states, including Massachusetts, which saw the cancellation of three cooperative agreements totaling over $8 million.
In the crosshairs were several key Massachusetts initiatives, such as a $3.9 million award to the Department of Energy Resources for municipal building energy code updates that aimed at increasing efficiency and resiliency, and a $1.2 million grant for the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, which would have facilitated critical research on the coexistence of solar energy infrastructure and wildlife. The final blow was a $3.6 million award also terminated at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, targeted at enhancing offshore wind expertise. Describing the impact of these cuts, AG Campbell elucidated that they "will impede the Commonwealth’s ability to improve thermal performance in new construction sectors, reduce building operation costs, and meet its goals for greenhouse gas emissions reductions and electrification readiness."
The lawsuit brought forth by AG Campbell and her colleagues seeks to uphold the rule of law and prevent what they see as executive overreach. At the heart of their argument is the premise that canceling energy programs enacted by Congress violates the separation of powers fundamental to American governance, as well as the Administrative Procedure Act. The complaint, as AG Campbell and the coalition have stated, is aimed at securing a court declaration that the Trump Administration's actions are illegal and must be stopped. Joining Massachusetts in this legal battle are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin, which are all calling for a restoration of order and an adherence to legislative authority, according to the Mass.gov.
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