Republican lawmakers at both federal and state levels are advancing legislation to protect fossil fuel companies from climate liability lawsuits, even as climate-related damages continue to mount. These efforts represent a coordinated counter-offensive against communities, states, and individuals suing major oil and gas companies for allegedly lying about climate change risks and for their role in rising climate costs.

At the federal level, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) announced she's working on legislation to block state climate laws and lawsuits she calls "extreme anti-energy policies." Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case from ExxonMobil and Suncor that could invalidate similar lawsuits nationwide. The American Petroleum Institute has confirmed lobbying for such legislation, calling climate liability lawsuits part of a "coordinated campaign" against the industry.

State-level efforts are also progressing rapidly. Utah's Legislature has passed a bill prohibiting civil or criminal liability for greenhouse gas emissions damage, with only narrow exceptions. Oklahoma's Senate has approved similar legislation. These bills would effectively grant legal immunity to fossil fuel producers and their trade associations, preventing communities from seeking compensation for climate-related damages through the courts.