Judge dismisses Michigan’s federal antitrust claim against oil firms

A federal judge on September 22 dismissed Michigan’s federal antitrust claim accusing major oil companies and an industry trade association of conspiring to suppress renewable energy and electric-vehicle competition, ruling that the alleged link between the conduct and higher energy prices was too indirect to support the case. U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering found that Michigan had not established antitrust standing. In the court’s analysis, energy overcharges were the only alleged injury potentially covered by antitrust law, but the state had not plausibly connected those overcharges to the alleged conspiracy. The court said other harms cited by Michigan, including climate-related costs, increased insurance premiums and effects on home values, did not qualify as antitrust injuries. Michigan’s complaint alleged that BP, Chevron, Exxon, Shell and the American Petroleum Institute worked together to restrain the development of renewable energy and electric vehicles and preserve fossil-fuel market dominance. Those claims were allegations in the lawsuit, not findings established by the dismissal.