Hawaii Can Sue Energy Companies in State Court, Judge Finds (1)

April 16, 2026, 12:37 PM UTCUpdated: April 16, 2026, 6:03 PM UTC

Hawaii has the right to sue fossil fuel companies in state court, a federal judge ruled, ending a Trump administration lawsuit that tried to limit the state’s ability to go after the companies.

The US lacks standing to bring its suit against the state in federal district court because it failed to claim it suffered an injury because of Hawaii’s actions, Senior Judge Helen Gillmor of the US District Court for the District of Hawaii said Wednesday.

The federal government’s lawsuit sought to prevent the state from suing fossil fuel companies, but it launched its case before the state filed ...

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