(The Center Square) – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has subpoenaed the Environmental Law Institute for potential violation of the state’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.
The institute’s Climate Judiciary Project is also a part of the investigation. The subpoena requests all documents and communications relating to the Environmental Law Institute and the Climate Judiciary Project’s funding sources, interactions with Florida judges, and involvement with climate litigation.
“The Climate Cartel is trying to hijack our judicial system to accomplish their net-zero carbon agenda,” said Uthmeier. “But the Courts are not the place to push policy, let alone policy that can’t win at the ballot box. We are going to protect the integrity of our court system and hold anyone who is trying to deceive Floridians—especially its judiciary—accountable.”
The organization must provide records of interactions with Florida judges, including any representations made to persuade judges to attend trainings, seminars and conferences. It also must provide communications about fundraising in Florida, communications with major climate activists, and documents related to climate plaintiff funders.
The Environmental Law Institute identifies itself on its website as a nonpartisan research, publishing, and education center focused on strengthening environmental protection.
The institute lists various roles, including helping develop law and policy and “educating professionals and the public.”
Its Climate Judiciary Project is an effort to develop and disseminate a “climate science and law curriculum” that it uses to conduct seminars and educational programs with climate scientists and legal experts, according to the organization’s website.
“The goal of our project is to provide neutral, objective information to the judiciary about the science of climate change as it is understood by the expert scientific community and relevant to current and future litigation,” the group said on its website.
The stated purpose of the project is to make judges familiar with climate science methods and concepts as they preside over climate litigation.
The group is accused of unlawful acts and practices, including “unfair methods of competition, unconscionable acts or practices, and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce,” according to the subpoena.
“We look forward to ensuring the Florida Attorney General has accurate information about the Environmental Law Institute and its work fostering a healthy environment founded on the rule of law,” said Nick Collins, a spokesman for the organization.
