US Justice Department sues Minnesota to block climate lawsuit

The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit seeking to block Minnesota's climate-related case against major fossil fuel companies.

The federal filing aims to stop the state action, which targets major players in the fossil fuel industry over their role in climate change.

The move adds a new layer to an already contested legal fight over whether states can pursue climate liability claims against energy companies.

It also places the federal government directly against a state court case.

The underlying Minnesota lawsuit is part of a wider set of climate-related legal challenges brought by states and local governments against fossil fuel firms.

The federal action now seeks to prevent that case from moving forward.

Only limited details have been confirmed so far, including the fact of the filing and the broad target of the state case.

No court ruling has been reported yet.

It remains unclear how quickly the court will act on the federal request or whether Minnesota will respond publicly in the immediate term.

#Minnesota #JusticeDepartment #fossilfuelcompanies #climatelawsuit #federalcourt