(Montgomery, Ala) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall today announced the filing of a multistate brief opposing lawsuits that would impose massive liability on energy companies based on allegations of climate change. Three local governments in Maryland seek to use their courts to regulate the production, sale, and use of oil and gas anywhere in the world. Filed in the Supreme Court of Maryland, the Alabama-led brief urges dismissal of the three cases, which pose a direct threat to Alabama’s sovereignty and economic wellbeing.

“Maryland law cannot control energy production and environmental policies in Alabama. Baltimore’s concerns about emissions cross state lines, creating a federal issue that must be resolved federally, not by cities and counties seeking to line their pockets,” stated Attorney General Marshall. “One State or local government cannot impose its environmental agenda on any other State as a matter of constitutional law. These cases must be dismissed.”

Among other arguments, the coalition brief observes that “Maryland law cannot resolve an interstate dispute without breaking fundamental principles of federalism as articulated by the U.S. Supreme Court.” Attempts to regulate the global atmosphere invade the basic power of every other state to regulate for the health and wellbeing of their own citizens.

Attorney General Marshall’s multistate brief is supported by attorneys general from Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wyoming.