On April 8, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at overriding state climate regulations that, in his administration’s view, conflict with federal energy priorities.
Key elements of the order:
• The Attorney General is instructed to review and challenge state climate laws, including emissions limits, carbon pricing, and green investment rules.
• The order specifically mentions New York, California, and Vermont, which have implemented fines on fossil fuel companies, ESG mandates, and cap-and-trade systems.
Trump stated that these state laws hurt American energy producers and violate interstate commerce protections.
The American Petroleum Institute welcomed the move, calling state-level restrictions unconstitutional.
Governors of affected states, including Kathy Hochul (NY) and Gavin Newsom (CA), condemned the order and said they would continue advancing clean energy and emissions goals.
Legal challenges are expected.
