US Defends Lawsuit Over Michigan’s ‘Imminent’ Climate Litigation

A climate tort lawsuit from Michigan against oil and gas producers is imminent and it presents a risk to federal interests, justifying the timing of the federal government’s legal challenge against the state, according to the Justice Department.

The federal government has a right to sue Michigan for encroaching on federal matters, and there is “credible evidence” the state is likely to join other plaintiffs across the US in suing fossil fuel companies, according to an opposition brief filed Monday at the US District Court for the Western District of ...