SCL Partner Ben Steinberg was recently quoted in Politico about Michigan’s antitrust lawsuit against oil companies for allegedly stifling renewable energy for decades.
In Politico’s article, “Antitrust laws could cost the fossil fuel industry,” Ben described “the two big hurdles” Michigan’s antitrust claims are likely to face.
Ben Steinberg, a partner at Shinder Cantor Lerner who represents plaintiffs in antitrust cases, said Michigan has “two big hurdles to overcome.”
The first will be to prove there was an agreement for decades among fossil fuel companies to stifle renewable energy technologies. The second will be tying the allegations to pricing, showing that oil companies were taking action to affect commerce in some way.
Ben also said that Michigan’s assertion that oil companies have suppressed and discredited information on renewable energy to raise prices and hinder rivals is likely to face “major headwinds.”
Steinberg said that argument faces “major headwinds.”
“If two competitors agree, ‘Hey, we’re going to both publish an article about technologies,’ that’s an agreement to publish an article, but it doesn’t affect trade,” he said. “It’s not a restraint of pricing.”
To read the full article on Politico’s website, click here.
