Congress moves to block climate lawsuits against fossil fuel companies
H.R. 8330 — Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 · Filed by Harriet Hageman (R-WY) · 21 cosponsors · Introduced Apr 16, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill would prohibit states and individuals from suing fossil fuel companies for climate-related damages, arguing that climate regulation belongs exclusively to the federal government. It would immediately dismiss all pending climate lawsuits against energy companies and void state climate liability laws, preventing citizens from seeking compensation for harms allegedly caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core function is to eliminate private litigation against energy companies for climate damages by invoking federal preemption. Despite framing itself as a federalism and commerce-regulation measure, its primary effect is to immunize a specific industry from civil liability.
What the text implies
- Eliminates state tort law remedies for climate-related harms without establishing federal compensation mechanisms, creating a liability vacuum that benefits defendants.
- Preempts state consumer protection and fraud claims related to energy company marketing or misrepresentation about climate impacts, narrowing consumer recourse.
The full analysis lists 5 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
fossil fuel extraction and production companies; oil and gas refiners and distributors; coal mining companies