"The Supreme Court said Monday that it will hear from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. The conservative-majority court agreed to take up a case from Boulder, Colorado, among a series of lawsuits alleging the companies deceived the public about how fossil fuels contribute to climate change."
"Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil appealed to the Supreme Court after Colorado's highest court let the Boulder case proceed. The companies argue emissions are a national issue that should be heard in federal court, where similar suits have been tossed out. The use of state law to address global climate change represents a serious threat to one of our Nation's most critical sectors, attorneys wrote."
"President Donald Trump's administration weighed in to support the companies and urge the justices to reverse the Colorado Supreme Court decision, saying it would mean every locality in the country could sue essentially anyone in the world for contributing to global climate change. Trump, a Republican, has criticized the lawsuits in an executive order, and the Justice Department has sought to head some off in court."
The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from oil and gas companies attempting to block state-level lawsuits that seek billions for climate-related damages. The case from Boulder, Colorado, is among multiple suits alleging companies deceived the public about fossil fuels' role in climate change. Companies such as Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil argue emissions are a national issue that belongs in federal court and warned state-law claims threaten the energy sector. The Trump administration supported the companies, warning of broad exposure if states can sue over out-of-state conduct. Boulder lawyers counter that states can address in-state harms caused by out-of-state actions.
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