Democratic governors, including California’s Gavin Newsom and Minnesota’s Tim Walz, are urging Congress to reject the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026. The bill would shield oil and gas companies from climate-related lawsuits, which the governors argue would protect the industries at the expense of taxpayers.
Climate Change and Energy Policy
The governors claim that communities across the nation have suffered from the effects of climate change, including fires, floods, storms, and heat waves, and that the oil and gas industries should be held accountable for their role in contributing to these problems. However, Republicans argue that the bill is necessary to protect American energy from lawsuits that could bankrupt the industry and lead to job loss.
The Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., in April. The bill would clear over a dozen lawsuits filed against oil and gas industries brought by local and state governments. The Supreme Court will hear a case in the fall term on ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy brought on by officials in Boulder, Colorado.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
