Climate Case Against Oil Giants Reaches Supreme Court: Boulder Cities Demand Billions in Damages
The Supreme Court will hear arguments in a high-stakes climate lawsuit brought by the city of Boulder, Colorado, against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy as local officials seek billions of dollars in damages from major oil producers.
The case centers on whether climate-related lawsuits filed by state and local governments should be decided in state courts or moved to federal court — where similar claims have repeatedly faltered.
The justices agreed Monday to take up the dispute, setting the stage for a ruling that could shape how such cases are handled nationwide.
Boulder city and county officials say they are facing “significant and rising costs” tied to climate change and accuse the companies of having “intentionally misled the public” about the impacts of fossil fuel products.
Energy companies, however, argue that disputes involving greenhouse gas emissions fall under federal law and should be heard in federal court, not state venues. Industry advocates have long warned that letting state courts handle such cases could open the door to a patchwork of rulings targeting national energy producers.
Although local governments in California, Hawaii, and New Jersey have filed similar lawsuits, Boulder’s case is the first of its kind to reach the high court.
A Supreme Court ruling could set a major precedent for cities and counties seeking billions to help cover rebuilding costs from wildfires, rising sea levels, and severe storms blamed on climate change.
Boulder County, San Miguel County, and the city of Boulder originally sued Suncor entities and Exxon in April 2018. San Miguel County’s claims were later separated and are being handled in Denver District Court.
“Boulder Mayor Aaron Brockett stated: ‘Local communities are living with the mounting costs of climate change.’ He urged the Supreme Court to affirm Colorado’s right to hold these companies accountable for the harm they have caused.”
Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann added, “We must hold oil companies accountable for the significant harm they’ve caused our communities.”
