US Supreme Court to hear oil companies' appeal in Boulder climate suit

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by ExxonMobil and Suncor challenging a Colorado court's decision that allowed Boulder’s 2018 climate lawsuit to proceed. The case seeks monetary damages for costs Boulder says are tied to climate impacts and could influence similar suits nationwide.

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by ExxonMobil and Suncor that challenges a lower court ruling allowing Boulder, Colorado’s climate lawsuit to move forward. Boulder filed the case in 2018 seeking monetary damages for costs it says are tied to climate impacts. The city and county allege the companies misled the public about their products’ role in worsening climate change. Similar lawsuits have been brought by many other state and local governments across the United States. Key points: - Boulder’s 2018 complaint accuses the companies of misleading the public and seeks unspecified damages for costs tied to mitigating climate impacts. - The oil companies appealed a lower court ruling that allowed the suit to proceed; the companies deny wrongdoing and argue federal law could preempt the case. - The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal; reports did not specify a schedule for further proceedings. Summary: The Supreme Court’s decision to review the appeal could influence a large group of related climate cases pending around the country. The court has taken the case and the timing of hearings or a decision is undetermined at this time.