Supreme Court Delivers Setback to Oil Companies in Climate Change Lawsuits

The Supreme Court rejected appeals by major oil companies seeking to move climate change lawsuits filed against them by state and local governments into federal court.
The lawsuits accuse the companies of contributing to and lying about climate change, and seek substantial damages.
Lower courts had ruled the cases should be heard in state courts, which are often seen as more favorable to plaintiffs.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a victory for governments pursuing litigation against oil companies for climate change impacts like extreme weather events, flooding and sea level rise.
The oil companies vowed to continue fighting the lawsuits and pursuing their arguments to move the cases out of state courts.