A fossil fuel advocacy group with ties to former Trump judicial adviser Leonard Leo has launched a campaign to discredit climate lawsuits against oil and gas companies, calling them a major threat to Trump’s energy policies.
Lesley Clark reports for E&E News.
In short:
- The American Energy Institute, a fossil fuel advocacy group, launched a website opposing climate lawsuits that seek to hold oil companies accountable for misleading the public about fossil fuel risks.
- The group argues that climate policy debates have been ongoing for centuries and criticizes efforts to litigate against the industry.
- The institute has financial ties to the 85 Fund, a network linked to Leo, and counts fracking company Liberty Energy among its affiliates.
Key quote:
“It seems out of character for a climate denial organization to be teaching us about the history of climate science.”
— Kert Davies, Center for Climate Integrity
Why this matters:
Lawsuits against oil companies are emerging as a critical front in the fight over corporate responsibility for climate change. Cities, states, and advocacy groups argue that major fossil fuel companies knowingly misled the public about the risks of burning oil and gas, despite decades of internal research warning of severe environmental consequences. These legal battles — often framed as efforts to hold polluters accountable for climate-related damages like rising sea levels, wildfires, and extreme weather — could cost the industry billions if successful.
Industry-backed groups and conservative policymakers have pushed back, framing the litigation as an attack on American energy independence. Meanwhile, environmental advocates see the cases as a way to force oil companies to pay for infrastructure repairs, disaster recovery, and adaptation efforts.
Learn more: Indigenous youth are leading the charge in climate lawsuits
