on Wednesday to block a natural gas pipeline from being built they say would unconstitutionally exacerbate climate change.
states that climate change is already being felt in Alaska with plummeting salmon numbers and changing caribou migratory patterns — among other impacts. The plaintiffs say the pipeline would “substantially increase Alaska’s carbon pollution,” further worsening the impacts of global warming. Taylor said blocking a gas line in Alaska would inevitably push gas projects to jurisdictions with less stringent environmental standards. He added that the legal challenge was occurring as Southcentral Alaska faces a looming shortfall of Cook Inlet gas, and utilities“We are confident that the courts will uphold the Alaska Legislature’s laws providing for the development of an LNG project in Alaska,” he said.
Tim Fitzpatrick, a spokesperson for the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., said the Alaska Legislature directed the corporation to commercialize North Slope natural gas because of its environmental, economic and energy benefits. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the gas line, Welle said the plaintiffs want to secure legal recognition of a right to a climate system that sustains human life, liberty and dignity.In 2022, the Alaska Supreme Court — in a split 3-2 decision —a suit from going to trial that challenged the state’s fossil fuel policies. Sixteen youth plaintiffs argued that those policies exacerbate the climate crisis in Alaska.