Current:Home > ContactRepublican AGs ask Supreme Court to block climate change lawsuits brought by several states -Aspire Money Growth
Republican AGs ask Supreme Court to block climate change lawsuits brought by several states
Robert Brown View
Date:2025-04-09 22:39:45
Republican attorneys general in 19 states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block several Democratic-led states from pursuing climate change lawsuits against the oil and gas industry in their own state courts.
The unusual request comes as dozens of states and local governments have filed lawsuits alleging that fossil fuel companies deceived the public about the risks of their products contributing to climate change. The lawsuits claim billions of dollars of damage from such things as severe storms, wildfires and rising sea levels.
The Republican action specifically seeks to stop lawsuits brought by California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey and Rhode Island, though lawsuits also have been filed by other states, tribes, counties and cities.
The GOP attorneys contend only the federal government can regulate interstate gas emissions, and states have no power to apply their own laws to a global atmosphere that reaches well beyond their borders. The court filing also contends the climate-related lawsuits could drive up energy costs in other states, including for electricity generated from natural gas.
“They do not have authority to dictate our national energy policy,” Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said in statement Thursday announcing the 19-state lawsuit. “If the Supreme Court lets them continue, California and its allies will imperil access to affordable energy for every American.”
The California attorney general’s office on Friday denounced the Republican request to the Supreme Court as meritless and vowed to continue its case against oil and gas companies.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong derided it as “pure partisan political theater.” And Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison called the Republican effort “absurd,” noting the U.S. Supreme Court already has allowed the state’s case to proceed in a Minnesota court.
Lawsuits generally start in district courts before working their way up to the U.S. Supreme Court on appeals. But the Constitution allows some cases to begin at the high court when states are involved. The Supreme Court can refuse a request for original jurisdiction.
The request from Republican attorneys general is “highly unusual” and more often employed in state disputes over water rights, not “as an attempt to shut down lawsuits by other states,” said Michael Gerrard, director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University in New York.
States joining Alabama’s request include Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The Supreme Court also could weigh in on climate change lawsuits through another means. Already pending before the high court is a separate request by oil industry defendants to overturn a Hawaii Supreme Court decision that allowed a climate change lawsuit by Honolulu to move forward in state court.
___
Associated Press writers Adam Beam, Susan Haigh and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report.
veryGood! (71289)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Midge Purce, Olivia Moultrie lead youthful USWNT to easy win in Concacaf W Gold Cup opener
- Alex Morgan returns to USWNT after Mia Fishel injury, and could play in Gold Cup opener
- Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Sandoval Responds to Backlash Over O.J. Simpson and George Floyd Comparisons
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- You’ll Be Crazy in Love with How Beyoncé Just Made History—Again
- Man accused of lying to FBI about Hunter Biden claimed he got fake information from Russian intelligence
- Wisconsin bills to fight ‘forever chemicals’ pollution, speed ballot counting in jeopardy
- Jamie Foxx gets stitches after a glass is thrown at him during dinner in Beverly Hills
- Greta Gerwig says 'Barbie' movie success 'was not guaranteed'
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
- College Football Playoff confirms 2024 format will have five spots for conference champions
- No. 15 Creighton downs top-ranked UConn for program's first win over a No. 1 team
- 'Hotel California' trial: What to know criminal case over handwritten Eagles lyrics
- SFO's new sensory room helps neurodivergent travelers fight flying jitters
- Nvidia’s 4Q revenue, profit soar thanks to demand for its chips used for artificial intelligence
- West Virginia House OKs bill to allow teachers with training to carry guns, other weapons in schools
- Humanitarian crises abound. Why is the U.N. asking for less aid money than last year?
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Man arrested in Audrii Cunningham's death was previously convicted on child enticement charges
Abortion rights could complicate Republican Larry Hogan’s Senate bid in deep blue Maryland
Seattle police officer who struck and killed graduate student from India won’t face felony charges
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Bestselling Finds Under $25 You Need From Ban.do's Biggest Sale of The Year To Brighten Your Day
A secret text code can help loved ones in an emergency: Here's how to set one up
Vanderpump Rules’ Tom Sandoval Responds to Backlash Over O.J. Simpson and George Floyd Comparisons