On April 8, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order titled Protecting American Energy From State Overreach. The order directs the U.S. attorney general to identify and take action against state and local laws “burdening” domestic energy development, especially laws addressing climate change, environmental, social, and government (ESG) initiatives, and environmental justice. The order highlights New York, Vermont, and California climate laws as examples of state actions that may be “beyond their constitutional or statutory authorities” and should be targeted by the Justice Department.