Climate Advocates File Lawsuit Against Wisconsin Over Fossil Fuel Policies
(MENAFN) Fifteen young climate advocates in the United States took legal action against Wisconsin on Friday, targeting state policies that continue to endorse fossil fuel usage.
Seventeen-year-old lead plaintiff Kaarina Dunn emphasized the significance of the case, stating it provides officials with an opportunity to "make the correct step to decarbonize Wisconsin" in light of the "climate harms they’ve caused youth."
The lawsuit was brought forward by two nonprofit legal organizations: Our Children’s Trust, which notably secured a groundbreaking youth climate rights victory in Montana in 2023, and Midwest Environmental Advocates, fresh off a public records win in Wisconsin last July.
The challenge focuses on two Wisconsin laws affecting the public service commission. One prohibits factoring in climate and air pollution impacts when approving fossil fuel projects, while the other prevents mandates requiring utilities to boost their use of carbon-free energy sources.
“These laws set up a system where the public service commission continues to approve fossil fuel power plants and cannot bring online more renewable energy,” explained Nate Bellinger, supervising staff attorney at Our Children’s Trust.
Although Wisconsin has committed to achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, roughly 75% of the state’s current electricity generation still depends on fossil fuels.
The young plaintiffs contend these laws infringe upon constitutional rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by sustaining an oil and gas-powered energy system. They are demanding the court declare these statutes unconstitutional.
Seventeen-year-old lead plaintiff Kaarina Dunn emphasized the significance of the case, stating it provides officials with an opportunity to "make the correct step to decarbonize Wisconsin" in light of the "climate harms they’ve caused youth."
The lawsuit was brought forward by two nonprofit legal organizations: Our Children’s Trust, which notably secured a groundbreaking youth climate rights victory in Montana in 2023, and Midwest Environmental Advocates, fresh off a public records win in Wisconsin last July.
The challenge focuses on two Wisconsin laws affecting the public service commission. One prohibits factoring in climate and air pollution impacts when approving fossil fuel projects, while the other prevents mandates requiring utilities to boost their use of carbon-free energy sources.
“These laws set up a system where the public service commission continues to approve fossil fuel power plants and cannot bring online more renewable energy,” explained Nate Bellinger, supervising staff attorney at Our Children’s Trust.
Although Wisconsin has committed to achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050, roughly 75% of the state’s current electricity generation still depends on fossil fuels.
The young plaintiffs contend these laws infringe upon constitutional rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness by sustaining an oil and gas-powered energy system. They are demanding the court declare these statutes unconstitutional.
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