A PYMNTS Company

Michigan Loses Antitrust Case Accusing Oil Giants of Blocking Renewable Energy

By  |  September 22, 2026
EU: France's Total is buying Maersk Oil for US$7.5 billion

Michigan failed Tuesday in its effort to hold some of the world’s largest oil companies liable for an alleged decades-long conspiracy to hinder renewable energy development and protect demand for fossil fuels, according to Bloomberg Law.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    Subscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The state had sued BP Plc, Chevron Corp. and Exxon Mobil Corp., among other oil producers, accusing the companies of coordinating efforts to undermine renewable energy while seeking to increase sales of their own products, according to a Sept. 22 report by Bloomberg Law. Michigan alleged that the conduct ultimately contributed to higher energy costs for consumers.

    The lawsuit, filed in January, asserted claims under federal and state competition laws, including the Sherman Antitrust Act, the Clayton Antitrust Act and the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act, according to Bloomberg Law.

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    Michigan’s case sought to use antitrust law to challenge what the state characterized as coordinated conduct by fossil-fuel producers aimed at slowing the development of competing energy sources. The allegations covered conduct that Michigan said had taken place over decades, according to Bloomberg Law’s account of the litigation.

    Related: DOJ Says Michigan’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against Major Oil Companies Faces Legal Hurdles

    The state’s bid was unsuccessful Tuesday, Bloomberg Law reported. The publication described the outcome as a loss for Michigan in its attempt to impose liability on the fossil-fuel companies over the alleged anti-renewable conspiracy.

    The dispute adds to a broader series of legal battles involving governments and major energy producers over climate policy, competition and the transition toward lower-carbon sources of energy. Michigan’s particular case differed from climate-damages litigation by framing the alleged conduct as an antitrust issue and asserting that efforts to suppress competing renewable-energy development harmed consumers.

    The underlying allegations remain allegations by the state; the companies were accused of conspiring to impede renewable energy development, and the court’s Tuesday decision rejected Michigan’s effort to hold them accountable through this case, according to Bloomberg Law.

    Source: Bloomberg Law