Oklahoma will soon have a new state law designed to protect oil and gas companies from climate change lawsuits.
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1439 into law a few weeks ago, one of 33 measures he signed. Called the Energy Security and Independence Act, it was authored by Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville and Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton.
It won’t be in effect until Nov. 1, 2026 but will prohibit most civil liability claims against companies that lawfully produce, manufacture, and sell fossil fuels, unless plaintiffs allege specific violations of environmental or labor laws.
Its stated intention is:
“To prohibit causes of action against those who lawfully produce, manufacture and sell fossil fuels and their trade associations, when this highly regulated product functions as designed and intended.”
Supporters argue the bills are necessary to protect energy producers from what they view as politically motivated litigation, while opponents say the measures undermine accountability.
Opposition
The bill also was heavily criticized by the Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club which attempted to persuade lawmakers to defeat the measure. But it passed the Senate on a 40-7 vote and the state House on a 74-16 vote.
Kara Joy McKee, Chapter Director of the Oklahoma Sierra Club., called the bill “a blatant attempt to put corporate profits about the health, safety, and property rights of everyday Oklahomans.”
She also charged that out-of-state interests pushed the bill to rewrite laws to “mislead the public and pollute our environment without having to answer for it in a court of law.”
McKee further claimed “SB 1439 effectively closes the courthouse doors to Oklahoma taxpayers and gives giant energy corporations a free pass.”