Judge Jane M. Beckering of the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan dismissed a Trump Administration lawsuit (PDF) that sought to prohibit the State of Michigan from filing state-law claims against the fossil fuel industry related to climate impacts. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit last year. Judge Beckering agreed with the Attorney General and dismissed the case, finding that the Court lacked subject matter jurisdiction under the Constitution to hear the case because the dispute was not ripe for adjudication and because the United States did not establish that it had standing to bring the case. 

“This lawsuit was a cynical attempt by the Trump Administration to intimidate my office into abandoning our responsibility to hold powerful corporations accountable for putting profits ahead of the health, safety, and energy affordability of Michiganders. I am relieved the Court saw through this and dismissed this frivolous case. My office will not be bullied, and we will continue to stand up for the people of Michigan, no matter how domineering the interests we face.” – AG Nessel