Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor has joined a coalition of 23 states in a legal challenge to Vermont’s recently enacted Climate Superfund Act, an unconstitutional overreach that could cripple Alaska and American energy production.
The controversial Vermont law, modeled after similar legislation in New York, seeks to hold a select group of coal, oil, and natural gas producers financially responsible for a share of global greenhouse gas emissions dating back to 1995. The fines could total billions of dollars, with no cap included in the statute.
“Alaska is home to the most abundant natural resources and some of the most stunning environmental treasures in the nation,” said Taylor. “Protecting those resources is important and done every day here through rigorous environmental standards. However, Vermont’s newest legal efforts expand their authority and agenda, push their state powers far beyond any reasonable interpretation of the Constitution, and improperly attempt to impose on Alaska’s and other states’ sovereign authority.”
The lawsuit argues that Vermont’s law imposes retroactive liability on companies that were operating in compliance with both state and federal regulations during the time period in question. It also warns that the financial burden of the law would force many traditional energy producers out of business, resulting in widespread job losses and increased dependence on foreign energy sources from nations with weaker environmental protections.
Critics of the law say it unfairly targets domestic producers while ignoring Vermont’s own historical reliance on fossil fuels to power its economy. They also argue that such state-level initiatives conflict with federal energy policy and are preempted by existing federal statutes.
Joining Alaska and West Virginia in the lawsuit are the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming.
The US Department of Justice filed a separate legal action challenging Vermont’s Superfund Act, in alignment with Executive Orders issued during President Donald Trump’s administration aimed at defending domestic energy interests.
The coalition is asking the court to block Vermont’s law and declare it unenforceable under federal law.
Marxists think they have the authority to control everything, including the environment. What ignorance!
What arrogance!
Nothing but a thinly disguised mega money grab. Climate cultists love it because they think they’re saving the planet. The elites love it because they gain more control and can fleece our major corporations.
Is Vermont a state?
I didn’t think so.
…and so the USA continues into fissaparity.
I’m not so sure this scam wouldn’t be endorsed by our new leftist Supreme Court.
Well, I guess it’s time to curtail all sales of petroleum products to vendors in Vermont.
Any shipping to the state will be limited to horse drawn wagons.
Good luck with that.
Why is anyone surprised? They keep voting for an avowed, self-admitting communist. That should be a clue.