Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall stated, “To protect Alabama citizens and our constitutional order, we had no choice but to sue.”
A total of 19 states have filed a federal lawsuit against five other states, challenging their attempts to impose liability on energy companies for climate change impacts through state tort law. The plaintiffs argue that state-led lawsuits attempting to regulate national energy policy constitute overreach and infringe upon the constitutional principles of federalism and interstate commerce.
The action is being led by a group of states, with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall at the forefront, against California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Marshall emphasized that the five states are unconstitutionally attempting to dictate the future of American energy policy.
He expressed concern that if these states continue, it could imperil access to affordable energy for every American. Marshall stressed the importance of protecting Alabama citizens and the constitutional order, leading to the decision to file the lawsuit.
The Supreme Court will need to decide whether to hear the lawsuit, which challenges the defendant states’ attempts to impose a de facto national carbon tax through state law claims against energy companies. The plaintiffs argue that these actions violate the constitutional framework of state sovereignty and federal regulation of interstate commerce.
The defendant states have initiated lawsuits against major energy companies, alleging that they have contributed to climate change. The outcome of this federal suit could have significant implications for climate litigation and the balance between state and federal authority.
The Epoch Times sought a response from the California Attorney General’s Office regarding the lawsuit filed by the other states against California. Can you please rewrite this sentence for me?
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