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Key developments
Louisiana approves climate lawsuit shield for oil firms
Louisiana lawmakers approved a bill that would bar new state-court lawsuits seeking compensation from oil and gas companies for alleged climate harms tied to greenhouse-gas emissions. Gov. Jeff Landry is expected to sign it soon, and the bill was revised to leave existing coastal erosion cases in place while preserving claims involving permit-limit violations. The measure would make Louisiana the fifth state this year to enact climate-liability shielding legislation, following Utah, Tennessee, Iowa and Oklahoma.
Why it matters
It would sharply limit a growing category of climate-liability litigation and further insulate fossil-fuel firms in Louisiana.
Sources & driving stories
E&E NEWS BY POLITICO
E&E News by POLITICO coverageNew York-led states sue over offshore wind deal
New York Attorney General Letitia James led a seven-state lawsuit against the Trump administration over a nearly $1 billion arrangement with TotalEnergies to abandon two U.S. offshore wind leases. New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Vermont joined the case, which argues the deal was unlawfully structured and may not qualify for a federal settlement fund. The filing follows reporting that the agreement did not actually require new fossil-fuel investments.
Why it matters
It is a major multistate challenge to a high-profile offshore wind rollback and could affect federal energy policy.
Sources & driving stories
HEATMAP
Heatmap coverageUK publishes draft seventh carbon budget legislation
The Labour government published draft legislation for the UK's seventh carbon budget, targeting an 87% cut in greenhouse-gas emissions below 1990 levels by 2040. The legally binding budget would cover 2038-2042, and the impact assessment says the policy would deliver £865 billion in net benefits over 25 years, with £445 billion in fossil-fuel spending avoided and £1.495 trillion in avoided climate damages. Parliament must approve the budget by the end of June.
Why it matters
It sets the next major UK decarbonization target and starts a short approval window that could shape national climate policy for years.
Sources & driving stories
CARBON BRIEF · Simon Evans
Carbon Brief coverageWorth noting
WORTH NOTING
House passes geothermal permitting package
The House approved bills aimed at speeding geothermal permitting and federal land sales, a concrete boost for clean baseload development.
WORTH NOTING
Three Mile Island restart clears FERC hurdle
Federal regulators approved the transfer of grid interconnection rights needed for Constellation's planned 2027 nuclear restart.
WORTH NOTING
IPCC opens cities report expert review
The review phase for a 2027 special report on climate change and cities is now underway and will shape the urban adaptation assessment.
Still unclear
OPEN QUESTION
Will Louisiana's shield survive legal challenge?
The bill's carve-outs and nonretroactivity may still be tested by opponents in court.
OPEN QUESTION
Can the UK budget pass by month-end?
Parliament must approve the draft quickly, and any changes could alter the 2040 emissions pathway.