US EditionJudge rejects Trump lawsuit to block Hawaii from filing climate lawsuit
Gillmor said the Justice Department’s claimed harm was too speculative and lacked standing, letting Hawaii’s climate case against oil companies continue.
- On Wednesday, Senior Judge Helen Gillmor dismissed a federal lawsuit seeking to block Hawaii from suing fossil fuel companies over climate change impacts in state court.
- The Justice Department filed the lawsuit in April 2025, arguing Hawaii violated the Clean Air Act and calling the state's action "burdensome and ideologically motivated."
- Judge Gillmor ruled the government lacked standing, writing that predicting future injuries from potential lawsuits constitutes "abstract, theoretical future harm" rather than "concrete harm."
- Hawaii may now proceed with its legal actions against fossil fuel entities, though Justice Department principal deputy assistant attorney general Adam Gustafson said they are "exploring all options."
- This ruling marks the second time in 2026 that federal courts have blocked attempts to preemptively stop state-level climate litigation, following a similar Michigan decision earlier this year.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Judge rejects Trump lawsuit to block Hawaii from filing climate lawsuit
A federal judge this week rejected the Trump administration’s pre-emptive lawsuit from last year to block the state of Hawaii from suing fossil fuel companies over climate impact concerns. Hawaii Senior U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor dismissed the administration’s lawsuit with prejudice in a Wednesday ruling. Federal officials filed the U.S. complaint on April 30,…
Judge Rejects Federal Government Bid to Block Hawaii Climate Lawsuit
A U.S. judge on April 15 dismissed a federal government lawsuit seeking to stop Hawaii from suing fossil fuel companies in state court over climate-related actions. U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor in Honolulu cited a “longstanding” policy against federal intervention in the procedures of state courts. It is the second time this year that federal courts have blocked the Department of Justice’s efforts to halt climate-related actions in state c…
The Garden Island
Hawaii Tribune-HeraldJudge rejects Trump administration bid to block Hawaii climate lawsuit
A federal judge today dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit seeking to stop Hawaii from suing fossil fuel companies in state court over climate change, citing a “longstanding” policy against federal intervention in state court processes. The dismissal by U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor in Honolulu marks the second time in 2026 that federal courts have blocked the U.S. Department of Justice’s efforts to head off climate change suits in state…
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