A new Iowa law seeks to block climate lawsuits from state courts, as the legal battle to make polluters pay for climate-related costs intensifies across the country.
Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds last week signed legislation to shield emitters from civil and criminal claims of climate-related harms tied to greenhouse gas emissions. The bill passed the state House in February on a 66-24 vote with the support of four Democrats before clearing the state Senate in March on a 33-13 vote over opposition that included one GOP lawmaker.
Republican state Rep. Derek Wulf, the bill’s House sponsor, said the legislation was necessary to protect farmers, ranchers and ethanol producers from rising litigation threats. The bill also includes petroleum manufacturing, storage and dispensing.
“Green New Deal policies have put farmers and ranchers in the crosshairs with environmentalists who want to take away our way of life,” he said on the House floor.
