Louisiana lawmakers amend climate bill to allow legacy coastal suits

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Lawmakers in Louisiana voted Tuesday to approve legislation designed to shield Louisiana energy companies from future climate change litigation while leaving existing lawsuits intact, potentially signaling a victory for the state’s trial lawyers in high-stakes battle over coastal erosion lawsuits.

The “Louisiana Energy Protection Act,” or House Bill 804, sponsored by Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, was designed in its original form to grant state-based companies sweeping, retroactive immunity against lawsuits seeking damages from climate change.

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A last-minute amendment adopted by the Senate Natural Resources Committee on last week included a grandfathering clause that would exempt lawsuits filed before the bill becomes law, clearing the way for existing litigation over coastal impacts to proceed while also protecting energy firms from future climate liability claims.

Two more amendments filed on the Senate floor Tuesday included a grandfathering clause and an exemption for lawsuits filed under the Louisiana Coastal Resources Management Act of 1978.

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https://thehayride.com/2026/05/louisiana-lawmakers-amend-climate-bill-to-allow-legacy-coastal-suits/

Not confirmed, but I’ve heard plans were scrapped on CO2 injection projects offshore. If true, what a strange coincidence.