Texas and ten other Republican-led states have launched
a lawsuit accusing BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street of using
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment strategies to disrupt
coal markets.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims these
asset managers leveraged their influence to cut coal production, driving up
energy costs and violating antitrust laws, ESGtoday reported.
Coal Output Manipulation
The lawsuit is reportedly spearheaded by Texas
Attorney General Ken Paxton. It accuses the three financial giants of having acquired
significant stakes in major coal companies like Peabody Energy and Arch
Resources. These holdings, representing over 30% of the US coal
market, were allegedly used to pressure producers to reduce coal output in
favor of clean energy targets.
The suit claims this coordinated action was part of
commitments made through initiatives like the Net Zero Asset Managers
Initiative and Climate Action 100+, which aim to align investments with climate
goals. The states argued that this strategy, while touted as
climate-conscious, has harmed competition and burdened consumers with higher
energy prices.
However, BlackRock and State Street have dismissed the
allegations as unfounded. BlackRock described the lawsuit as baseless and
stated that it undermines Texas’ reputation as a pro-business state, Reuters
reported.
This legal move represents the latest chapter in a
broader Republican-led pushback against ESG investing, which critics view as a
politically charged disruption to traditional market dynamics. Texas has been at the forefront of this movement,
previously restricting the use of ESG factors in state investments and
advocating for greater oversight of asset managers.
Allegations of Misleading Investors
Despite their recent withdrawal from ESG initiatives,
including Vanguard’s 2022 exit from the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, the
lawsuit claims these firms’ past actions still pose a threat of continued
pressure.
The suit also accuses BlackRock of misleading
investors by allegedly using non-ESG funds to advance environmental objectives
despite promising to prioritize shareholder value.
The lawsuit seeks to prohibit these asset managers
from using their investments to influence energy market policies. It also demands civil penalties for violating federal antitrust and
Texas consumer protection laws.
Texas and ten other Republican-led states have launched
a lawsuit accusing BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street of using
environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment strategies to disrupt
coal markets.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims these
asset managers leveraged their influence to cut coal production, driving up
energy costs and violating antitrust laws, ESGtoday reported.
Coal Output Manipulation
The lawsuit is reportedly spearheaded by Texas
Attorney General Ken Paxton. It accuses the three financial giants of having acquired
significant stakes in major coal companies like Peabody Energy and Arch
Resources. These holdings, representing over 30% of the US coal
market, were allegedly used to pressure producers to reduce coal output in
favor of clean energy targets.
The suit claims this coordinated action was part of
commitments made through initiatives like the Net Zero Asset Managers
Initiative and Climate Action 100+, which aim to align investments with climate
goals. The states argued that this strategy, while touted as
climate-conscious, has harmed competition and burdened consumers with higher
energy prices.
However, BlackRock and State Street have dismissed the
allegations as unfounded. BlackRock described the lawsuit as baseless and
stated that it undermines Texas’ reputation as a pro-business state, Reuters
reported.
This legal move represents the latest chapter in a
broader Republican-led pushback against ESG investing, which critics view as a
politically charged disruption to traditional market dynamics. Texas has been at the forefront of this movement,
previously restricting the use of ESG factors in state investments and
advocating for greater oversight of asset managers.
Allegations of Misleading Investors
Despite their recent withdrawal from ESG initiatives,
including Vanguard’s 2022 exit from the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, the
lawsuit claims these firms’ past actions still pose a threat of continued
pressure.
The suit also accuses BlackRock of misleading
investors by allegedly using non-ESG funds to advance environmental objectives
despite promising to prioritize shareholder value.
The lawsuit seeks to prohibit these asset managers
from using their investments to influence energy market policies. It also demands civil penalties for violating federal antitrust and
Texas consumer protection laws.
This post is originally published on FINANCEMAGNATES.
