A federal judge has thrown out Michigan’s antitrust case against several major oil companies, rejecting the state’s argument that the companies worked together to slow the growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy.
US District Judge Jane Beckering in Grand Rapids dismissed the lawsuit brought by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel against BP, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute. The case had been filed in January.
The lawsuit alleged that the companies had acted collectively to restrict competition from electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. Michigan also argued that the companies’ conduct contributed to financial harm suffered by the state and its residents.
Beckering, however, found that federal antitrust law did not cover most of the injuries claimed by Michigan. She said the state’s allegations concerning energy overcharges also fell short because the connection between the alleged conspiracy and those costs was too remote.
The ruling follows a series of similar decisions in other jurisdictions. Courts in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and South Carolina have also rejected climate-related lawsuits targeting major oil companies.
A spokesperson for Nessel said the state disagreed with the decision and was considering its next steps.
The US Justice Department welcomed the dismissal. In May, the department had itself sued Michigan in an effort to stop the state from pursuing its case against the oil companies.
Chevron attorney Ted Boutrous said the decision adds to a growing number of federal and state court rulings dismissing climate lawsuits against energy companies.
Michigan’s complaint had pointed to historical research by Exxon, including work in the 1970s involving hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle technology. The state also cited internal research from 1979 that it said anticipated renewable energy becoming an increasingly significant competitive threat to fossil fuels.
Oil companies have faced climate-related litigation from state and local governments for years, with a number of those cases still pending.
The ruling comes as the Trump administration has moved to roll back several policies associated with the expansion of electric vehicles, including measures affecting automakers and the cost of EVs for consumers.
