Attorney General Gentner Drummond is demanding answers from a radical climate action organization after it released a new standard for its members, intending to enforce net-zero carbon emissions.
He and 21 other state attorneys general sent a letter earlier this month to Science Based Targets (SBTi), which partners with both the United Nations and a group of anti-growth nonprofit organizations, after the organization released a Financial Institutions Net Zero Standard for its members.
Drummond noted it is illegal for companies to agree to limit output of goods or services. States already have had success in holding members of the radical green Climate Action 100+ and Net Zero Insurance Alliance groups accountable.
“This is another misguided attempt by radical environmentalists to force American industries to eliminate carbon dioxide production,” said Drummond. “Enforcing net-zero carbon emissions would have severe consequences, including higher costs for energy and food.”
SBTi’s members include nationwide businesses. The standard targets oil- and gas-related companies, which also affects agriculture and any industry that requires energy.
In the letter, the attorneys general express concerns about SBTi and the financial institutions that commit to its standards, noting the agreement risks violating federal and state antitrust laws. The states are seeking information to ensure that SBTi is not itself a backdoor to unlawful conduct.
Also signing the letter are the attorneys general of Iowa, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
