Court strikes down New York law making fossil fuel companies liable for climate change

A federal court on Monday struck down a New York law that would have made fossil fuel companies liable for climate change, asserting that federal law preempted such legislation at the state level.

U.S. District Judge Brenda Sannes issued the decision, asserting that climate change is "within an area of law ‘in which the federal interest is so dominant’ that [state law] cannot be enforced," The Hill reported.

The 2024 bill was part of a broader attempt by Democratic-leaning states to pursue climate change policy by attacking fossil fuel companies. 

Hochul advisor Ken Lovett confirmed to The Hill that her administration was "reviewing the decision to determine possible next steps."

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent for Just the News. Follow him on X.