The Trump administration has launched a legal challenge against two Californian cities, escalating a political battle over local efforts to phase out fossil fuels. The US Justice Department filed a lawsuit on Monday targeting San Francisco-area cities Petaluma and Morgan Hill.
The Core of the Legal Dispute
Federal attorneys allege that ordinances passed by the cities since 2019, which restrict natural gas infrastructure and appliances in new construction, violate a 1975 federal law. This law, known as the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, prevents states and cities from regulating the "energy use" of products that already have federal standards.
The complaint argues that these local natural gas bans are not only unlawful but also impose "crushing costs" on California residents. This lawsuit represents the latest offensive by the Trump administration against energy policies designed to combat climate change, frequently targeting Democratic-led regions.
California's Climate Policy Context
California is widely recognised for having some of the most progressive and aggressive climate change policies in the world. For years, state and local Democratic officials have championed measures to reduce dependence on oil and gas, drawing consistent criticism from Republicans, including President Donald Trump.
The legal action against Petaluma and Morgan Hill is part of a broader pattern. Since 2019, dozens of municipalities across the United States have enacted similar ordinances to restrict new natural gas hookups. The legal landscape shifted in 2023 when a federal appeals court ruled that the city of Berkeley could not enforce its own 2019 natural gas ban, setting a potential precedent.
Reactions and Wider Legal Battles
Officials from the sued cities have been cautious in their initial response. Petaluma's City Manager, Peggy Flynn, stated via email that the city had no immediate comment. Representatives from Morgan Hill did not immediately respond to requests for comment. At the state level, California Governor Gavin Newsom and State Attorney General Rob Bonta have also yet to publicly address this specific lawsuit.
This case is not an isolated legal skirmish. In July, Petaluma joined Santa Clara County—where Morgan Hill is located—and other counties in a separate lawsuit against the Trump administration. That suit challenges funding restrictions based on the administration's stance on issues like diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) and reproductive rights. Furthermore, both locales were part of a coalition of over 30 Bay Area cities and counties that filed another lawsuit challenging Trump's actions regarding sanctuary jurisdictions.
The outcome of this latest Justice Department lawsuit could have significant implications for local governments across the US seeking to implement environmental regulations that exceed federal standards, setting a crucial precedent in the ongoing conflict between state autonomy and federal energy policy.
