West Virginia Attorney General faces legal challenge over climate probe

A federal judge in Charleston is set to hear arguments regarding a request by environmental advocacy groups to halt a consumer protection investigation launched by West Virginia Attorney General J.B. McCuskey.

Two non-profit organizations, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition and 350.org, have filed suit seeking a temporary restraining order to block subpoenas issued by the Attorney General’s office. The subpoenas demand up to 10 years of internal records, including communications regarding climate change, donor information, funding sources, and regulatory submissions. The groups argue the investigation violates First Amendment rights to free speech and association, as well as Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches.

Attorney General McCuskey has characterized the probe as an investigation into “alleged unfair or deceptive acts” under the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act. He has previously advocated for investigating and defunding certain climate advocacy organizations to protect the state’s fossil fuel industry. While the Sierra Club was also a target, the Attorney General’s office reportedly withdrew its subpoena for that specific group.