Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), challenging several California laws and policies that Florida claims overstep constitutional limits on state authority over national energy policy.
“California does not have the authority to dictate America’s energy future,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Florida is urging the Department of Justice to put an end to these unlawful policies that drive up consumer costs, destroy American jobs, and weaken national security. Only then can our nation achieve the energy dominance President Trump has called for.”
The submission from Florida argues that certain California actions unlawfully interfere with interstate commerce and conflict with federal statutes such as the Clean Air Act. The comments also assert that these measures upset the balance of power between state and federal governments.
According to Florida, California has enacted or proposed a range of initiatives including emissions-disclosure mandates affecting businesses outside its borders, litigation seeking large retroactive damages for lawful energy production, efforts to ban gas-powered vehicles despite changes in federal law regarding waivers under the Clean Air Act, and a proposed “climate superfund” penalizing traditional-fuel producers retroactively.
Attorney General Uthmeier is urging the DOJ to intervene against what he calls California’s overreach, aiming to prevent states from imposing regulations beyond their own borders and maintain federal oversight over national energy policy.
A copy of Florida’s comments is available online.
