Filed Date: Jan. 23, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
This case is an antitrust action that alleges that Exxon, Chevron, BP, and Shell have engaged in a decades-long coordinated strategy to suppress competition from renewable energy.
The State of Michigan brought this antitrust lawsuit on January 23, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against several major fossil fuel companies, Exxon, Chevron, BP and Shell (the "Fossil Fuel Defendants"), and their trade association, the American Petroleum Institute (API). The plaintiff alleged that the defendants conspired to restrain competition from renewable energy for decades, unlawfully delaying the transition away from fossil fuels and inflating energy prices for Michigan consumers. The complaint outlines several allegations against the defendants, including that they have conspired to reduce the innovation and output of renewable energy substitutes to maintain their dominance in the energy market, despite being aware that fossil fuel use would cause destructive climate impacts since the 1970s, that they used aggressive patent litigation to suppress electric vehicle technologies, that they acted to stifle solar energy technology and divert capital toward initiatives that entrench fossil fuels, and that they orchestrated a disinformation campaign to manufacture doubt about climate science and the viability of clean energy. Finally, the complaint alleged that the defendants engaged in criminal hacking and "hack-for-hire" operations to surveil and intimidate activists, watchdogs, and public officials seeking to investigate the cartel's conduct. But for this conspiracy, the State argues that renewable primary energy would have reached scale years earlier, and that because of the defendants' conduct, Michigan consumers have been denied meaningful choice and have been forced to pay supracompetitive prices for energy. The State alleged that the defendants' conduct constituted a violation of Section 1 of the Sherman Act, Sections 4 and 16 of the Clayton Act, and the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act. The State sought damages for overcharges and harms suffered by the State and its residents, permanent injunction relief to end the anticompetitive conduct, disgorgement of all profits obtained through the conspiracy, and equitable relief.
This case was originally assigned to District Judge Paul L. Maroney. However, on January 28, 2026, Judge Maroney recused himself due to a potential conflict, and the case was reassigned to District Judge Jane Marie Beckering.
On January 23, 2026, the State notified the court that United States v. Michigan, Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-496 is potentially related to this case, as it arose from the same or similar occurrences and involves one or more of the same parties.
On January 26, 2026, the defendants responded to the plaintiff's notice of related cases. The defendants notified the court that on January 24, United States v. Michigan was dismissed in its entirety for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.
This case is ongoing
Summary Authors
Sofia Yoder (2/21/2026)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72179920/parties/people-of-the-state-of-michigan-v-bp-plc/
Asciolla, Gregory S. (Michigan)
Beran, Katie (Michigan)
Bettenhausen, Margaret (Michigan)
Blake, Emma (Michigan)
Allen, Matthew Philip (Michigan)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72179920/people-of-the-state-of-michigan-v-bp-plc/
Last updated Feb. 21, 2026, 2:14 p.m.
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: Jan. 23, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The State of Michigan
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
BP P.L.C (- United States (national) -), Private Entity/Person
CHEVRON CORPORATION (- United States (national) -), Private Entity/Person
EXXON MOBIL CORPORATION (- United States (national) -), Private Entity/Person
SHELL P.L.C. (- United States (national) -), Private Entity/Person
AMERICAN PETROLEUM INSTITUTE, (- United States (national) -), Private Entity/Person
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Other Dockets:
Western District of Michigan 1:26-cv-00254
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
Environmental Justice and Resources: