Michigan sues oil giants, alleging collusion to stifle renewables, EVs

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The state of Michigan is suing major oil companies and an industry association, alleging that they colluded to hamper the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs).

In a lawsuit announced Friday, Michigan sued BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute.

It alleged they acted as a “cartel” as part of an effort to reduce production and distribution of renewable energy and restrain electric vehicles.

“To achieve this end, they have abandoned renewable energy projects, used patent litigation to hinder rivals, suppressed information concerning the hidden costs of fossil fuels and viability of alternatives, infiltrated and knowingly misdirected information-producing institutions, surveilled and intimidated watchdogs and public officials, and used trade associations to coordinate market-wide efforts to divert capital expenditures away from renewable energy — all to further one of the most successful antitrust conspiracies in United States history,” the suit said.

While multiple states and cities have already sued fossil fuel companies, saying they have caused climate-related harms, the allegations of colluding against climate-friendly technologies appears to be a newer legal strategy.

In a statement, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel connected the alleged collusion to energy prices in the state.

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“These baseless lawsuits are a coordinated campaign against an industry that powers everyday life, drives America’s economy, and is actively reducing emissions. We continue to believe that energy policy belongs in Congress, not a patchwork of courtrooms,” said American Petroleum Institute senior vice president and general counsel Ryan Meyers.

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