Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined a 19-state coalition urging the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional the efforts of California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island to influence American energy policy. These states have initiated litigation against major energy companies over an alleged "climate crisis," seeking billions in damages. The ongoing lawsuits in state courts could result in significant penalties and remedies affecting national energy consumption and production.
"It’s not a new tactic to sue an industry to force a social agenda, but the stakes have never been higher," said Attorney General Labrador. "We cannot let national energy policy be driven by a handful of activist states pushing their climate change agenda. This will just increase prices for everyone at the pump while crippling our national economy."
The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the Alabama-led lawsuit against California and the other four states. The coalition's filing includes a motion, complaint, and brief arguing that traditional energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal are crucial for American prosperity. They also contend that federalism ensures no state holds more power than another.
In April, Alabama led a 20-state amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to review a similar lawsuit filed by Honolulu seeking substantial penalties from the energy industry for allegedly deceiving consumers about emissions from products like gasoline. The Supreme Court has yet to rule on whether it will hear this case.
The Alabama-led motion is supported by attorneys general from Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.