SCOTUS case involving ExxonMobil could redefine climate risk for oil industry

The U.S. Supreme Court will weigh in on a high-stakes fight that could reshape climate litigation—and the financial exposure of the energy industry, Bloomberg writes. 

The justices agreed to hear an appeal from ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy seeking to block a wave of state and local lawsuits that accuse oil companies of misleading the public about climate risks and fueling costly environmental damage. 

At issue is whether cities and states can use state law to pursue damages for the local impacts of a global problem. A Colorado ruling allowed the city of Boulder’s case to proceed, and similar suits nationwide could put billions of dollars at risk for energy producers. Industry groups and the Trump administration urged the court to intervene, arguing that climate policy belongs at the federal level. Local governments counter that companies should help cover mounting adaptation costs.

Arguments will be heard in the court’s next term, setting up a consequential test of corporate liability, federalism and climate accountability.

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