Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport has joined a coalition of 13 attorneys general in a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, challenging recent federal actions that ended funding for energy affordability programs. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and alleges that the administration’s decision violates both constitutional separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act.
The federal cuts impact hundreds of energy and infrastructure projects across 16 states with Democratic governors. The legal action seeks a permanent injunction to stop these policy changes, which plaintiffs argue were carried out unlawfully by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), DOE Secretary Chris Wright, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and OMB Director Russell Vought.
Governor Mikie Sherrill stated, “Creating more in-state power will lower utility costs, benefiting both families and businesses, and improve affordability for all. But President Trump is determined to make life more expensive by refusing to follow the law, and New Jersey will not stand for it,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “At his direction, and for purely political reasons, the Department of Energy and Russell Vought pulled funding for innovative scientific research projects aimed at lowering energy costs for New Jerseyans. This is not the first time the Trump administration has played political games, and I’m glad that we are once again taking him to court under Acting Attorney General Davenport to defend New Jersey against his unlawful behavior.”
Davenport added: “Let me be clear: I will do everything in my power to drive down energy costs and make life more affordable for all New Jerseyans. But the Trump Administration is doing exactly the opposite, going out of its way to unlawfully gut programs that support affordable, clean energy—all in the name of seeking retribution against the President’s perceived political opponents,” said Acting Attorney General Davenport. “We’re taking the Trump Administration to court to reverse its reckless and illegal attempts to stand in the way of affordable energy projects that would drive down your utility bills. Alongside Governor Sherrill, I will always stand on the side of hardworking New Jerseyans against attacks out of Washington.”
On his first day back in office in 2025, President Trump issued executive orders directing DOE officials to create a list targeting billions worth of awarded energy grants with an aim toward eliminating programs established by Congress through major legislative acts such as 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act and 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
In May 2025, DOE introduced a new policy memorandum subjecting previously funded projects to an unclear review process widely viewed as a means to justify ending them.
As a government shutdown neared late September 2025, President Trump signaled intentions regarding program cuts; soon after this statement OMB Director Vought announced via social media nearly $8 billion worth of renewable energy initiatives would be terminated—listing sixteen affected states including New Jersey.
Among those affected locally are two cooperative agreements between DOE and Rutgers University. One grant—$3.2 million awarded jointly with Rutgers University and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities—would have advanced implementation plans for updated building efficiency standards expected over five years to generate potential savings ranging from $3.8 billion up to $15.4 billion.
A second award allocated $1.7 million toward research into agrivoltaics technology enabling dual use farmland practices combining agriculture with solar generation—potentially offering farmers supplemental income while reducing overall state energy expenses.
The lawsuit includes attorneys general from California, Colorado, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin along with New Jersey.
The New Jersey Attorney General holds statewide authority across counties and municipalities in enforcing laws as well as prosecuting offenses under its statutory mandate while providing public safety oversight throughout New Jersey. Its responsibilities include consumer protection initiatives alongside victim advocacy services (official website). The agency also influences public safety by regulating enforcement activities statewide (official website).
