Supreme Court to hear arguments from oil and gas companies to block climate change lawsuits

– by Lindsay Whitehurst

Public Broadcasting Service

Associated Press

 Supreme Court (Monday, February 23) it will hear oil and gas companies’ grievances and their attempt to block lawsuits holding the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. The court agrees to take up the Boulder, Colorado case. This case is one of many lawsuits alleging the industry has is deceiving the public about how fossil fuels contribute to climate change.

State and local governments are seeking damages totaling billions of dollars. They hope to gain funds to help pay for the damages resulting from the industry indirectly. This goes beyond the acquisition of oil or coal from the ground. What the suit is attempting to present is the damage to the environment from wild-fires, rising sea levels and severe storms worsened by climate change.

It does raise a question though. Could oil, coal, natural gas, etc. be processed so as to be less damaging to the environment? Or could the engines, furnaces, etc. be made more efficient so as to lessen the damage cause by the usage of these fuels. I believe it to be an issue on the usage too.

“Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil appealed to the Supreme Court after Colorado’s highest court let the Boulder case proceed. The companies argue emissions are a national issue that should be heard in federal court, where similar suits have been tossed out.

Attorneys for the industry: “The use of state law to address global climate change represents a serious threat to one of our Nation’s most critical sectors.”

The Feds and the president are lining up with the industry.

Boulder attorneys had ague the litigation is still in early stages and should stay in state court. The argue is there is no “constitutional bar to states addressing in-state harms caused by out-of-state conduct, be it the negligent design of an automobile or sale of asbestos.”

Supreme Court is asking the two sides to present arguments on whether the case is truly ready to be heard by the justices. Arguments are expected in the fall.

Taken from PBS News: “Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments from oil and gas companies trying to block climate change lawsuits.”