Washington and Oregon have joined a coalition of 13 states challenging recent federal decisions to terminate billions of dollars in congressionally approved clean energy funding. According to a Feb. 18, 2026 release from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, the lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and argues that federal agencies unlawfully ended programs central to long‑term emissions‑reduction strategies. The complaint targets actions by the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, the Office of Management and Budget, and OMB Director Russell Vought, alleging violations of both the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act. Washington State Attorney General’s Office

The filing asserts that more than $27 million promised to the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub was withdrawn without explanation, halting a project expected to support job growth and reduce emissions across the region. Washington State University also lost several project awards that were set to advance low‑carbon concrete development and improve grid reliability statewide. The multistate coalition, co‑led by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, is seeking a court order preventing federal agencies from further interfering with the authorized programs. Washington State Attorney General’s Office

For Southwest Washington communities, including Cowlitz County, the lawsuit could influence the pace of renewable‑energy investments already underway or in planning stages. Projects such as regional hydrogen infrastructure and grid‑modernization research often rely on multistate funding frameworks. While the lawsuit itself does not detail specific projects in Longview or Kelso, the termination of statewide clean‑energy grants may slow or alter future development timelines that local agencies and employers had anticipated.

Federal decisions to halt similar clean‑energy programs have faced scrutiny in courts. Last month, a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration illegally canceled $7.6 billion in clean‑energy grants allocated to 16 states, finding that the cancellations were driven by partisan considerations rather than legal or economic necessity. Associated Press

As Washington and Oregon pursue their latest challenge, the outcome could shape the region’s clean‑energy trajectory at a moment when local industries, public institutions, and municipal utilities are preparing for long‑term infrastructure transitions.