This bill aims to protect the energy industry from liability related to climate change by asserting federal preemption over greenhouse gas emissions regulation. It declares that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change falls exclusively under Federal law and agencies, thereby preempting state-level actions. The bill's stated purposes include promoting affordable, abundant, and reliable energy resources, ensuring U.S. energy self-sufficiency, and strengthening the economy. A central provision of the Act is the prohibition of "qualified liability actions" in any Federal or State court. These actions include "climate suits," defined as any legal action seeking damages or other relief against an energy business for alleged past or future harm from climate change, including those based on marketing or alleged misrepresentation. The bill also voids any "energy penalty laws," which are state laws or regulations imposing liability on energy businesses for climate change costs or harms. Furthermore, the Act mandates the immediate dismissal of all pending "qualified liability actions" upon its enactment. It explicitly states that no private right of action or claim shall be maintained, implied, or inferred under any State law concerning climate change-related harms from greenhouse gas emissions. Congress finds that state efforts to impose such liability invade federal jurisdiction, lack scientific credibility, and undermine national security and economic stability, thus justifying federal intervention under the Commerce Clause.
This bill aims to protect the energy industry from liability related to climate change by asserting federal preemption over greenhouse gas emissions regulation. It declares that the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions and climate change falls exclusively under Federal law and agencies, thereby preempting state-level actions. The bill's stated purposes include promoting affordable, abundant, and reliable energy resources, ensuring U.S. energy self-sufficiency, and strengthening the economy. A central provision of the Act is the prohibition of "qualified liability actions" in any Federal or State court. These actions include "climate suits," defined as any legal action seeking damages or other relief against an energy business for alleged past or future harm from climate change, including those based on marketing or alleged misrepresentation. The bill also voids any "energy penalty laws," which are state laws or regulations imposing liability on energy businesses for climate change costs or harms. Furthermore, the Act mandates the immediate dismissal of all pending "qualified liability actions" upon its enactment. It explicitly states that no private right of action or claim shall be maintained, implied, or inferred under any State law concerning climate change-related harms from greenhouse gas emissions. Congress finds that state efforts to impose such liability invade federal jurisdiction, lack scientific credibility, and undermine national security and economic stability, thus justifying federal intervention under the Commerce Clause.