Attorney General Kwame Raoul, together with attorneys general from 16 other states, has filed an amended complaint in federal court challenging the Trump administration’s executive order that declares a “National Energy Emergency.” The legal action seeks to expand the ongoing challenge against the executive order, which critics say bypasses established environmental protections in favor of fossil fuel development.
The amended complaint now names the U.S. Department of the Interior as a defendant. It alleges that the department failed to comply with federal requirements under laws such as the National Environmental Protection Act and Endangered Species Act when permitting fossil fuel projects. According to Raoul and his colleagues, while these procedures have been used in response to real emergencies like hurricanes or oil spills in the past, this executive order invokes emergency authority without evidence of an actual energy crisis.
“This is the Trump administration’s latest attempt to invent an emergency in order to further policy preferences,” said Raoul. “This executive order would allow important environmental protections to be bypassed while doing nothing to lower energy prices. I am happy to join my fellow attorneys general in this lawsuit.”
Previously, Raoul and other state officials challenged both the executive order itself and actions by agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Advisory Council on Historic Preservation related to its implementation. The lawsuit argues that despite record-high national energy production during previous administrations, former President Trump invoked powers under the National Emergencies Act improperly.
The Department of the Interior is accused of using these emergency provisions not only to expedite fossil fuel projects but also of excluding clean energy sources like wind and solar from similar treatment. As stated in their filing, “the Department of the Interior also illegally bypassed the legal requirements set forth in numerous federal laws when permitting fossil fuel and other energy projects, including the National Environmental Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and Administrative Procedure Act.”
Attorneys general joining Illinois include those from California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.
The Illinois Attorney General acts as Illinois’ chief legal officer with offices throughout the state focusing on upholding laws related to consumer protection and environmental issues (official website). The office also advocates for vulnerable groups—such as workers and seniors—and handles thousands of consumer complaints each year (official website). Other responsibilities include supporting crime victims through partnerships with law enforcement agencies (official website).