Former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr warned Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill on Thursday against continuing to support dozens of lawsuits that target oil and gas companies for destruction of the state’s retreating coastline.
And to help make his point, Barr cited President Donald Trump’s executive order this week that takes aim at state climate policies.
In a letter to the Republican attorney general, Barr wrote that the energy groups he represents — including the fossil fuel advocacy group American Energy Institute — are worried that any state support for the multimillion dollar lawsuits could adversely affect the industry.
“As you know, the Trump administration is committed to unleashing America’s domestic energy production,” Barr wrote, citing Trump’s executive order “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach,” which directs the Department of Justice to identify and “stop the enforcement of state laws” on climate change.
