OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 3, 2024) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond is appealing to the Oklahoma Supreme Court the ruling of a lower court that has blocked enforcement of the state’s anti-ESG (environmental, social and governance) law.
Drummond took over the case in May after private counsel hired by state Treasurer Todd Russ failed to successfully defend the Oklahoma Energy Discrimination Act of 2022. In Keenan v. Russ, a taxpayer is challenging the law, which prohibits state contracts and pension system investments with financial institutions that discriminate against the oil and gas industry.
Drummond said the Treasurer’s poor judgment has created unnecessary obstacles for the State’s defense of the law.
“There is a great deal of lost ground to make up on this litigation after the Treasurer and his hand-picked legal counsel failed in district court,” said Drummond. “I will not let that failure deter my efforts to protect Oklahoma’s oil and gas industry from discriminatory practices by financial entities kowtowing to a radical environmental agenda. My office is committed to a vigorous defense.”
The Attorney General expressed disappointment last May as he fired the Treasurer’s chosen legal counsel and removed the Treasurer from any decision-making authority involving the case.
“It is extremely disappointing that the counsel hired by Treasurer Russ was unable to secure a favorable ruling in defense of Oklahoma’s anti-ESG law,” Drummond said on May 9. “Because of this failure, the law is now on hold and at risk of being struck down entirely. Oklahomans deserve better.”
