A coalition of 15 states has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at expediting energy infrastructure projects. The states contend that the administration unlawfully bypassed essential environmental regulations, potentially jeopardizing protected species, cultural landmarks, and vital ecosystems.
According to the Associated Press, Trump signed the order on his first day in office, declaring a “national energy emergency” to boost domestic oil and gas production. This directive invokes the Defense Production Act and permits the federal government to use eminent domain—typically reserved for actual emergencies like natural disasters.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington state on Friday, claims that federal agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior are advancing projects without proper reviews mandated by the Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the coalition argues that the United States is already producing energy at historic levels. While they recognize the need for affordable and reliable electricity, they assert that rushing development without adequate oversight could result in irreversible environmental damage.
“The Executive Order is unlawful,” the lawsuit states, warning that bypassing legal safeguards threatens waterways, wetlands, endangered species, and culturally significant sites.
The attorneys general emphasize that the Clean Water Act grants states the authority to manage water quality within their borders. They argue that the executive order undermines this right by diminishing state-level reviews and enforcement capabilities.
“The shortcuts inherent in rushing through emergency processes fundamentally undermine the rights of states,” the lawsuit claims.
The coalition is asking a federal judge to invalidate the executive order and prevent federal agencies from applying emergency permitting to projects that do not constitute true emergencies. As of now, the White House has not responded to the lawsuit.
In addition to Washington and California, attorneys general from Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin have joined the legal challenge. This broad coalition underscores a growing concern over environmental protections amid increasing energy demands.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for energy policy and environmental protection in the United States. As states push back against federal actions they view as harmful, the balance between energy development and environmental stewardship remains a contentious issue.
