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CHICAGO – Governor JB Pritzker joined nine fellow governors from across the country urging Congress to reject federal legislation that would grant sweeping legal protections to fossil fuel companies and limit the authority of states and local governments to enforce their own laws.
In a letter signed by California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Washington, Wisconsin, and Illinois, the coalition of governors underscored that the proposed legislation would interfere with longstanding state authority, prevent state and local governments from pursuing legal claims under state law, and create special protections for a single industry at the expense of taxpayers and consumers.
“No industry should receive a blanket exemption from accountability under the law,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “States have the right to protect their residents, enforce their laws, and seek justice when communities are harmed. This proposal before Congress would undermine those principles and set a dangerous precedent by allowing one industry to avoid legal scrutiny. I urge Congress to reject this proposal and stand with states, taxpayers, and the rule of law — not special protections for powerful corporations.”
The coalition also noted that states have historically relied on the courts to hold powerful industries accountable when unlawful conduct harmed residents, including major tobacco companies and opioid manufacturers. They highlighted that granting liability protections to fossil fuel companies would weaken the ability of states and local governments to pursue similar claims and recover costs borne by taxpayers.
This legislation comes at a time when communities across the country continue to face significant costs associated with more floods, wildfires, extreme heat, and severe storms driven by climate change. At this critical time, states must retain the authority to pursue policies and legal remedies they deem necessary to protect their residents.
