SCOTUS To Hear Lawsuit From Fossil Fuels Companies Against PRCII

That would be the People’s Republik of Colorado, not People’s Republik Of California. You know, the state that relies heavily on fossil fuels to clear all the snow, to bring all those tourists to ski. The airport in Denver is the largest in the US (by land). 2nd largest in the world. 3rd busiest in the US. And 9th busiest in the world.

Supreme Court takes up oil companies’ plea to end climate change lawsuits

The Supreme Court agreed Monday to hear an attempt by energy companies to throw out a lawsuit filed in Colorado seeking to hold them accountable for the costs of climate change.

The court’s ultimate ruling in the case will have national implications, likely determining whether similar lawsuits filed by cities and municipalities across the country seeking billions of dollars in damages can move forward.

Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy are appealing a May 2025 Colorado Supreme Court ruling that said the lawsuit brought by the city of Boulder and Boulder County could move forward in state court.

The lawsuit claims that the companies, via their marketing, production and sale of fossil fuels, bear responsibility for the harms caused by climate change, including extreme temperatures and more frequent wildfires. The plaintiffs allege violations of various state laws, including consumer protection provisions.

The companies argue that climate policy is a purely federal issue, in part because pollution crosses state lines and cannot be addressed on a piecemeal basis. Air pollution is regulated via the federal Clean Air Act, but more comprehensive efforts to combat climate change at the national level have stalled, with President Donald Trump’s administration particularly opposed to addressing the issue.

And I still maintain that the companies being sued by Colorado, and specifically Exxon Mobil and Suncor since they are countersuiting, should stop selling their products to Boulder and Boulder County. Why would you provide your goods/services to an entity that is suing you? The suit may involved the city and county, but, the State is backing the suit against the fossil fuels companies so it should be involved in full. Boulder has a municipal airport. Lots of people fly in or drive in to go skiing at Eldora Mountain Resort. And they’re all wearing clothes made from petroleum. Plus bags, ski goggles, and skis and boards made with petroleum.

Now we have to wonder how the suit will be ruled.