Trenton, NJ – Acting Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that New Jersey has joined a coalition of 13 states suing the Trump administration over what officials describe as unlawful cuts to federal energy affordability programs that were funded by Congress.
The multistate lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, challenges a Department of Energy (DOE) policy that terminated billions of dollars in clean energy and infrastructure funding across 16 states led by Democratic governors. The complaint names the DOE, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and OMB Director Russell Vought as defendants.
According to the filing, the Trump administration’s actions violate both the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. The lawsuit seeks a permanent injunction to block the funding terminations and restore the projects.
Governor Mikie Sherrill said the cuts directly target energy affordability initiatives and undermine efforts to lower utility costs for New Jersey families and businesses. “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,” she said.
Rutgers projects among those defunded
Two New Jersey projects were halted under the DOE directive, including a $3.2 million cooperative agreement with Rutgers University and the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities. That project was designed to advance new energy-efficient building performance standards, with estimated savings of up to $15.4 billion over five years.
Another Rutgers-led initiative, worth $1.7 million, focused on agrivoltaic systems — technology that allows farmland to be used simultaneously for solar energy production and agriculture. The research aimed to help farmers generate additional income while reducing energy costs.
“New Jersey will not stand by while the administration undermines affordability and innovation,” Acting Attorney General Davenport said. “We’re taking them to court to defend the programs that help lower utility bills for hardworking families.”
Multistate legal challenge expands
In joining the legal effort, New Jersey aligns with attorneys general from California, Colorado, Washington, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Together, the coalition seeks to block the DOE’s policy memorandum and reinstate the funding intended by Congress through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
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Key points:
- Acting AG Jennifer Davenport joins 13-state coalition challenging Trump administration funding cuts.
- Lawsuit seeks to restore billions for clean energy and affordability programs.
- Rutgers University lost two major DOE grants totaling nearly $5 million.
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