Courts nationwide dismantle “quackery” against energy firms
05/21/2025 / By Willow Tohi
A growing trend of rulings by federal and state judges — including in Pennsylvania, New York City, Maryland and Delaware — has dismissed lawsuits seeking to hold energy companies liable for climate damages, citing jurisdictional limits and legal precedent under the Clean Air Act. These cases are deemed a matter for federal, not local, policymaking.
Judges emphasize that state/local laws cannot regulate interstate emissions, with rulings underscoring the Clean Air Act’s federal preemption. New York’s case was dismissed for contradictions in claiming public climate awareness while alleging corporate deception (“greenwashing”), highlighting flawed legal arguments.
Bucks County’s lawsuit was criticized for violating transparency laws (Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act) by hiring a contingency-fee law firm without public input or cost-benefit analysis. Judges and industry lawyers condemned the lack of open government deliberation.
Opponents, like the Heritage Foundation’s Diana Furchtgott-Roth, argue these lawsuits are ideologically driven “lawfare” aiming to destabilize energy companies and force green policies through courts rather than legislation. Industry attorneys warn against conflating corporate disclosures with federal regulatory duties.
The rulings reinforce federal authority over climate policy, aligning with efforts (like Trump-era executive orders) to curb state overreach. They may shield consumers/taxpayers from costly liability claims (e.g., Bucks County’s $23 billion demand) while preserving affordable energy access — though political debates over policy-making power persist.
https://www.climate.news/2025-05-21-courts-nationwide-dismantle-quackery-against-energy-firms.html
