ARTICLE · 16 MAY 2025

An Update On Climate Superfund Laws And Climate Change Lawsuits

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In recent years, states and municipalities have attempted to hold fossil fuel companies liable for their alleged impacts on climate change. Numerous states and municipalities have sued fossil fuel companies...

United StatesEnvironment

Marne S. Sussman

Emily Martinez Lieban

Zachary Pilchen

Alexander S. Holtan

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Highlights

Numerous states and municipalities have sued fossil fuel companies, alleging that the companies should be held financially liable for the impacts of climate change in their jurisdictions.
In line with the Trump Administration's executive order, "Protecting American Energy from State Overreach," the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently filed preemptive lawsuits against Hawaii and Michigan attempting to thwart further lawsuits before they were filed.
The DOJ also filed complaints against New York and Vermont over their "climate superfund laws."

In recent years, states and municipalities have attempted to hold fossil fuel companies liable for their alleged impacts on climate change. Numerous states and municipalities have sued fossil fuel companies, alleging that they should be held financially liable for the effects of climate change in their jurisdictions. States have also recently adopted "climate superfund" laws modeled after the

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