South Carolina AG Backs Initiative to Halt Climate Lawsuits in Democrat-led States

Columbia, SC – South Carolina’s Attorney General, Alan Wilson, has enlisted with a 19-state coalition applying to the U.S. Supreme Court to suspend multiple Democrat-led states from instituting climate change-related lawsuits against dominant oil and gas firms within state courts. The move, spearheaded by Alabama on Wednesday, claims that Democratic-led states like California, New Jersey, Connecticut, Minnesota, and Rhode Island are overstepping their bounds.

States Accused of Overreach

The contention is that these states, by bringing lawsuits against major energy companies on the grounds of climate change, are assuming the power to regulate the nation’s comprehensive energy system. Alan Wilson, in a firm statement, argued that, “Each state is sovereign, and these other states have no right to tell South Carolina what to do, especially when their plans would cost South Carolinians more and reduce our ability to generate the energy we need.”

Supreme Court to Assess the Affair

The Supreme Court now must decide whether to hear the 19-state lawsuit lodged against California and the four other proposed defendants. In April of this year, South Carolina, along with 19 other states filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court, urging the Court to review a lawsuit brought forth by the City and County of Honolulu. This legal action also seeks to sanction the energy industry with billions of dollars in penalties.

For now, the Supreme Court remains undecided, having yet to rule on the request from the energy companies for the case to be heard.

The Coalition’s Broad Spectrum

Joining South Carolina and Alabama, The multi-state coalition is comprised of attorneys general from Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

As this case progresses, the path it takes will have significant implications on the relationships between states, their ability to regulate energy, and the actions they can take to combat climate change within the legal system.

Stay in the Loop

With such a wide-reaching case, progress reports and updates will provide vital information. Interested readers should bookmark this page, share it across social media, and ensure news alerts are set to receive the updates on this critical issue that unites a broad spectrum of states and impacts everyone at a nationwide level.