The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a challenge from 19 Republican-led states seeking to block lawsuits filed by Democratic-led states that aim to hold oil and gas companies accountable for their role in climate change.
The decision allows California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island to proceed with lawsuits in state courts, accusing energy companies of misleading the public about the dangers of fossil fuel products. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, arguing the court should intervene in disputes between states.
The red states claimed the lawsuits could disrupt the national energy system and argued that federal law should govern interstate emissions, not state courts. However, Democratic attorneys general countered that their lawsuits target local harms caused by alleged corporate deception.
The ruling follows a similar decision in January, where the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from major oil companies to dismiss a climate lawsuit in Hawaii.
The cases are now moving forward, marking a major legal setback for the energy industry.
Source(s)
- CBS News – MBFC Rating
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