Show-Me State Times

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, alongside 18 other states, has filed a lawsuit against California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island at the United States Supreme Court. The suit aims to halt policies from these states that allegedly threaten Missouri's energy sector.

General Bailey contends that the defendants have exerted unprecedented pressure on vital energy companies over an alleged "climate crisis," seeking billions in damages. The suit claims that California and the other states are poised to impose severe penalties and coercive remedies affecting energy production and consumption nationwide. The coalition of states argues that these actions raise significant constitutional issues and requests the Supreme Court to address the multi-state lawsuit.

"I will always fight to put Missouri consumers first, which includes protecting Missouri energy when it comes under attack by other states," said Attorney General Bailey. "California and its radical counterparts are working to upend our economy with their unconstitutional climate agenda. My office will not allow a state with zero respect for the rule of law to dictate how Missourians live their lives."

The Supreme Court will decide whether to hear the case brought by the 19-state coalition against California and the other four proposed defendants. General Bailey and his colleagues argue that traditional energy sources such as oil, natural gas, and coal are crucial for American prosperity but are being unfairly targeted by these states. They emphasize that federalism ensures no state holds more power than another.

"Defendant States want a global carbon tax on the traditional energy industry. Citing fears of a climate catastrophe, they seek massive penalties, disgorgement, and injunctive relief against energy producers based on out-of-state conduct with out-of-state effects. On their view, a small gas station in rural Alabama could owe damages to the people of Minnesota simply for selling a gallon of gas. If Defendant States are right about the substance and reach of state law, their actions imperil access to affordable energy everywhere and inculpate every State and indeed every person on the planet. Consequently, Defendant States threaten not only our system of federalism and equal sovereignty among States but our basic way of life," stated the attorneys general.

States joining Missouri in filing suit include Alabama, Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

The full lawsuit can be accessed here.