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Supreme Court to hear Colorado climate case involving Suncor and ExxonMobil
A high-stakes legal battle involving Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil is heading to the U.S. Supreme Court, centered on whether local governments can hold fossil fuel companies liable for climate-related damages under state law.
In addition to the core dispute over federal preemption of state laws regarding greenhouse gas emissions, the case has taken a First Amendment turn. Advocacy groups, including Protect the First Foundation and Neutral Principles, have filed amicus briefs arguing that the litigation could unconstitutionally penalize companies for their public statements and political advocacy.
A report from Consumer Watchdog has also raised concerns regarding potential conflicts of interest. The report claims that 25 of the 38 organizations filing amicus briefs in support of the energy companies have financial ties to the fossil fuel industry. Specifically, the report identifies the Manhattan Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Buckeye Institute as entities that submitted briefs while receiving funding from the defendants or related industry funds.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments for the case on October 5.
Entities
Boulder County · Consumer Watchdog · ExxonMobil · Suncor Energy · U.S. Supreme Court
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Free speech advocacy groups argue the lawsuit raises First Amendment concerns by potentially imposing liability for protected speech and policy influence. dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] Consumer Watchdog released a report claiming 25 of 38 organizations filing amicus briefs in the Suncor v. Boulder County case have financial ties to the fossil fuel industry. www.guampdn.com · themercury.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Manhattan Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Buckeye Institute received funding from ExxonMobil or Suncor while filing briefs in support of them. www.guampdn.com · themercury.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The energy companies argue that federal law preempts state-level claims regarding greenhouse gas emissions that cross state and national borders. dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] The U.S. Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for the case on October 5. www.guampdn.com · themercury.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The plaintiffs are seeking to hold energy companies financially responsible under Colorado tort law for alleged climate-related harms. dailycallernewsfoundation.org · www.guampdn.com · themercury.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Manhattan Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Buckeye Institute submitted briefs in support of the energy companies while receiving funding from them. www.guampdn.com · themercury.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A hearing for the case is scheduled for October 5. www.guampdn.com · themercury.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Federal law preempts state-law claims regarding global greenhouse-gas emissions. dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The companies should be held financially responsible under Colorado tort law for alleged climate-related harms. dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The climate lawsuit raises First Amendment concerns regarding the potential liability of fossil fuel companies for protected speech and public policy advocacy. dailycallernewsfoundation.org
- [● 2 SOURCES] 25 out of 38 organizations that filed amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Suncor and ExxonMobil have financial connections to the defendants or the fossil-fuel industry. www.guampdn.com · themercury.com