Alabama Leads Multistate Coalition in Opposing Climate Change Litigation

Strategic Insights -

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall has filed a brief in the Supreme Court of Maryland, leading a coalition of 23 states in opposition to lawsuits that seek to impose liability on energy companies based on allegations of climate change. The state argues that Maryland law cannot regulate energy production and environmental policies in other states, and that such attempts would infringe upon the sovereignty and economic wellbeing of Alabama. The coalition brief cites federalism principles as articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court, asserting that one state or local government cannot impose its environmental agenda on another state.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Alabama-led coalition is opposing three lawsuits filed by local governments in Maryland, which aim to regulate the production, sale, and use of oil and gas on a global scale.
  • The coalition argues that Maryland law cannot control energy production and environmental policies in other states, and that such attempts would violate principles of federalism.
  • 23 states have joined the coalition, including Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
  • Attorney General Steve Marshall stated that the cases pose a direct threat to Alabama's sovereignty and economic wellbeing, and that they must be dismissed.
  • The coalition brief observes that attempts to regulate the global atmosphere invade the basic power of every other state to regulate for the health and wellbeing of their own citizens.

Statistics:

  • 3 local governments in Maryland have filed lawsuits against energy companies, seeking to regulate the production, sale, and use of oil and gas.
  • 23 states have joined the coalition opposing the lawsuits, led by Alabama.
  • The coalition brief has been filed in the Supreme Court of Maryland.
  • The state of Alabama has emphasized that all 3 cases must be dismissed to protect its sovereignty and economic wellbeing.
  • The brief has been filed by Attorney General Steve Marshall, with the support of 22 other attorneys general.

Sources:

  • State of Alabama, Office of the Attorney General. (no date)
  • [Note: The original text does not provide a date for the news release]