Bill > SB2560

This bill, known as the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act," establishes protections for activities related to coal, oil, and natural gas, aiming to prevent discrimination against these industries. It defines key terms such as "covered activities" (exploration, production, transportation, sale, manufacturing, refining, combustion, or other use of coal, oil, and natural gas in Tennessee) and "covered emissions" (carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide released from these activities). The act declares it public policy to protect the right to engage in and invest in these energy sectors, stating that no liability or injunctive relief can be imposed for covered emissions unless they violate specific federal environmental laws or state laws necessary to comply with federal law, in which case only federal law will apply. Furthermore, it restricts governments and private parties from imposing liability for covered emissions unless it's based solely on "in-jurisdiction products," meaning fossil fuel products that were actually shipped into the relevant state's boundaries. The bill also outlines a process for determining covered emissions, allowing individuals or companies to seek a court declaration of their emissions, with a provision that if emissions are less than 10% of a calculated baseline, they can be presumed to be zero. This act takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2560&ga=114