GOP Launches Push to Shield Oil Industry from Climate Lawsuits
A coordinated effort is underway by Republican lawmakers to insulate the fossil fuel industry from a growing wave of climate-related lawsuits. At the federal level, Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) is drafting legislation, with support from other Republican officials and attorneys general, that would block state and local lawsuits seeking to hold oil and gas companies financially responsible for climate damages. This push, which aligns with a top priority for the oil and gas industry, argues for federal preemption over state-level litigation. Simultaneously, similar initiatives are progressing at the state level. In Louisiana, lawmakers have filed three bills that would not only shield fossil fuel companies from climate liability suits but also prohibit state spending on net-zero emissions goals. This state-level action is described as an unusual legislative push prompted by the Trump administration's rollback of federal climate rules. Critics, including environmental advocates, warn that this legislative counter-offensive represents a high-stakes legal battleground. If successful, these bills could effectively shut down current and future climate lawsuits. Opponents argue this would leave taxpayers to bear the full financial burden of climate adaptation costs, such as building sea walls and relocating infrastructure, while shielding corporations from accountability for their role in driving climate change.
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Trump and Republicans Join Big Oil’s All-Out Push to Shut Down Climate Liability Efforts - Inside Climate News
Our nonprofit newsroom provides award-winning climate coverage free of charge and advertising. We rely on donations from readers like you to keep going. Please donate now to support our work.Donate Now · Specifically, the Republican AGs suggest the DOJ could recommend legislation to reinforce federal preemption of state climate liability ...
Hageman looking to insulate oil industry from climate litigation - E&E News by POLITICO
Full access to essential energy & environment news for professionals. Learn more ... The Wyoming Republican thinks there’s “absolutely” interest among lawmakers. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) during a hearing on Capitol Hill. Al Drago/Getty Images · Wyoming Republican Rep. Harriet Hageman is exploring legislation that would shield oil and gas companies ...
Republican Lawmakers Push Bills to Shield Polluters from Climate Change Lawsuits - EnviroLink Network
This legislative push reflects the high stakes involved in climate litigation, which has emerged as a significant legal battleground. If successful, these bills could effectively shut down current and future climate lawsuits, leaving taxpayers to bear the full burden of climate adaptation costs while shielding corporate polluters from financial responsibility for their role in driving climate change. This article was written by the EnviroLink News ...
Louisiana lawmakers have filed three bills that would shield fossil fuel companies from climate change lawsuits and prohibit state spending on net-zero emissions goals, in an unusual legislative push prompted by the Trump administration's rollback of federal climate rules.
The Latest Front in the Battle Over Climate Lawsuits: Bills Wiping Out Liability - Inside Climate News
Hageman told E&E News that she thinks there is “absolutely” interest among her colleagues to take up legislation shielding energy companies from climate liability, and that it “would be a form of preemption” that could bar state and local liability actions.
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