Oklahoma anti-ESG law blocked by state judge

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🗞️ Driving the news: An Oklahoma judge has temporarily halted a state law designed to prevent state pension systems from avoiding investments in the oil and gas sector
• The law was challenged on grounds that it violated the state constitution and was too vaguely written to be enforced effectively

🔭 The context: The controversial Oklahoma law is part of a broader wave of Republican-led initiatives across the U.S. aiming to curb the influence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations in investment decisions
• These laws often focus on ensuring state funds do not divest from industries like fossil fuels, despite environmental concerns

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The blocked law highlights the tension between state legislation aimed at protecting local industries and the global shift towards ESG investing, which prioritizes long-term environmental sustainability over short-term economic gains

⏭️ What's next: The injunction is temporary pending further legal proceedings. If upheld, it could set a precedent affecting similar laws in other states, reflecting growing legal and public scrutiny over the use of pension funds for political objectives rather than fiduciary responsibility

💬 One quote: "Many of these statutes are vulnerable to the same critique — that using pension assets as a political tool for the supposed 'protection' of particular industries runs afoul of state law mandates that pensions must be managed solely in the interest of retirees," said Robert Skinner, a lawyer at Ropes & Gray

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