Supreme Court Hears Big Oil Case Today That Could Shut Down Oregon and Washington Climate Lawsuits
Today, arguments begin in the U.S. Supreme Court that could shut down climate lawsuits against Big Oil in Oregon and Washington.
Exxon and Suncor Try to Overturn the Colorado Lawsuit
The ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy arguments will aim to overturn a lawsuit by Boulder, Colorado, seeking monetary damages for climate change harm caused by Big Oil.
Today’s hearing follows a Colorado Supreme Court ruling, allowing Boulder to proceed with its accusation of violations against the law by U.S. based Exxon and Canada based Suncor.
Boulder County and the City of Boulder are claiming that the two companies drive climate change and mislead the public about the risks of fossil fuels.
They are holding the companies liable for costs of infrastructure repairs, harm to public health, environmental damage, and emergency management associated with climate change.
Oregon and Washington Lawsuits Could Be Affected
Oregon and Washington are among nearly 60 state and local governments seeking billions of dollars from fossil fuel companies in lawsuits claiming climate change damages.
In Oregon, the defendants asked the Oregon Circuit Court to put on hold a lawsuit by Multnomah County until after the ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on the Boulder case starting today.
Multnomah filed a $52 billion climate lawsuit in June 2023, seeking to hold major fossil fuel companies financially responsible for the deadly 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome.
Their application was denied after the court expressed concern that delaying the case for months, or possibly over a year, could harm Multnomah County’s ability to prove its case.
The court felt evidence could be lost as delays could cause people’s memories to fade. There was also a possibility that witnesses could die in the interim.
Similarly, a Washington Superior Court ruled against an application by the defendants to dismiss climate claims by Shoalwater Bay Indian tribe and Makah Indian tribe.
As with Oregon, the Washington court found that a stay of more than a year would prejudice the claimants due to evidentiary loss.