Supreme Court Opens New Term with Major Climate Case
The U.S. Supreme Court opened its newest term by hearing a case about climate change, the outcome of which could have wide-reaching consequences for fossil fuel companies and state and local governments.
The U.S. Supreme Court began its new term by hearing a major climate change case that could impact fossil fuel companies, state and local governments, and the financial costs associated with climate change. In 2018, the city and county of Boulder, Colorado filed a lawsuit against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil, arguing that their production and processing of fossil fuels contributed to climate change and they should be held responsible for the resulting financial costs.
Boulder and the Trump administration argued that states have the power to provide tort remedies for injuries occurring within their borders, even if the conduct causing those injuries occurred elsewhere. The companies, however, argued that the issue should be decided in federal court rather than through "fragmented state-court actions."
The Supreme Court is now considering whether the case can move forward, with the justices discussing the issue of whether the case should be decided at the federal level or the state level where it was originally filed. The outcome of this case could have wide-reaching consequences for climate change litigation and federalism.
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