{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreihxjoaz7bqhynzvf6zd2yix2rswj6pbkfjnqpvcsfpglnf6oktp7m",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:cc6p6jeyvvkrk4iza5apn43i/app.bsky.feed.post/3meq777nggue2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreig53mtdnnjpnba3gnbs7zrbng2mvkhch2hekpu65pyzqq26wld73u"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/png",
    "size": 5969
  },
  "path": "/newswire/house-republican-moves-to-block-climate-lawsuits-as-oil-industry-pushes-for-immunity",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-12T17:15:18.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.commondreams.org",
  "tags": [
    "_announced_",
    "_craft legislation_",
    "_widespread reports_",
    "_liability shield_",
    "_top 2026 priority_",
    "_advancing toward discovery and trial_",
    "_pesticide manufacturers_",
    "_tech sector_"
  ],
  "textContent": "As climate accountability lawsuits move closer to trial across the country, Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) _announced_ this week that she is working with House and Senate colleagues to _craft legislation_ aimed at “tackling” state climate superfund laws and climate deception lawsuits against fossil fuel companies.\n\nHer announcement follows _widespread reports_ that oil industry lobbyists have been pressing Congress for some form of _liability shield_. In January, the American Petroleum Institute made clear that stopping state climate lawsuits is a _top 2026 priority_, pledging to “stop extreme climate liability policy.”\n\nEleven states and the District of Columbia, along with dozens of cities, counties, and tribal governments, have active lawsuits seeking to hold major oil and gas companies accountable for deceiving the public about the climate harms of their products. Several of those cases — including in Minnesota, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Colorado — are _advancing toward discovery and trial_ after courts denied motions to dismiss.\n\nThe push for federal legislation marks the most concrete attempt yet to shield fossil fuel companies from mounting legal exposure.\n\nEfforts to limit liability are not unique to the oil industry. In recent months, other industries including _pesticide manufacturers_ and segments of the _tech sector_ have sought similar protections when litigation risks increase. But the scale of the climate cases, and the public costs at stake, make the fossil fuel industry’s immunity push especially consequential.\n\n_**Statement from Cassidy DiPaola, Communications Director, Make Polluters Pay Campaign:**_\n\n“Rep. Hageman’s announcement confirms that the fossil fuel industry is escalating its effort to avoid accountability.\n\nAs more than a dozen states and communities move closer to putting Big Oil on trial, and as climate superfund laws begin to take hold, the industry is turning to Congress for protection. API has said plainly that stopping climate liability is a top priority and now we are seeing legislation take shape to do exactly that.\n\nIf these companies believe they did nothing wrong, they should be willing to defend that position in court. Instead, they are asking lawmakers to block the cases altogether.\n\nA federal liability shield for fossil fuel companies would not lower energy prices or ease the cost of living. It would simply shift more of the financial burden onto working families and local governments while insulating one of the most profitable industries in history from accountability.\n\nCongress should not close the courthouse doors to communities seeking redress. Big Oil is not entitled to special immunity from the consequences of its conduct.”",
  "title": "House Republican Moves to Block Climate Lawsuits as Oil Industry Pushes for Immunity"
}