Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Supreme Court to Decide Whether to Hear Boulder Climate Lawsuit Against Suncor

The justices will meet Friday to consider arguments that state tort claims over global emissions conflict with federal law.

Overview

  • The case arises from a City of Boulder and Boulder County suit in Colorado state court alleging Suncor misled the public and seeking money to address local climate impacts.
  • Suncor argues in its Supreme Court filing that claims seeking damages for worldwide emissions function as indirect regulation of interstate and international pollution under the Clean Air Act.
  • Boulder’s filing contends there is no constitutional bar to states addressing in-state harms that stem from out-of-state conduct.
  • A coalition of 26 state attorneys general led by Alabama’s Steve Marshall urged the Court to take the case, citing federalism concerns and the risk of local courts shaping national energy policy.
  • Lower courts have split on similar suits, with a South Carolina judge dismissing Charleston’s case and Maryland’s high court signaling skepticism in October, raising stakes for uniform guidance.