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Last Update: 10/26/2026 at 11:33 PM EST
U.S. Climate Liability Lawsuits
Coverage from Bloomberg Law, Yellow Scene Magazine, and others
Cities, states, tribes, and other plaintiffs have brought lawsuits seeking compensation from fossil-fuel companies for climate-related costs and alleging that companies misled the public about climate risks.
A prominent example is Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, in which Boulder and Boulder County pursued Colorado-law claims against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil. The litigation raises questions about whether state claims address local harms or are preempted by federal authority over interstate emissions, as well as how statutes such as the Clean Air Act apply. These cases test the reach of state courts and the legal routes available for seeking climate-related damages.
Key Articles4 of 132 articles
If you read one thing
It clearly frames the core preemption dispute and explains why the ruling could matter beyond Boulder.
The counter-case
It presents the state-claims side of the contested dispute and connects those remedies to weakened federal climate regulation.
Best explainer
It adds the parallel policy context of proposed liability shields alongside federal regulatory rollbacks.
The evidence
Its reporting on the Supreme Court case and federal regulatory changes supports both the procedural and policy context.
Key Issues
Supreme Court review keeps state climate suits at a procedural crossroads
The Court has heard Boulder’s case, but the federal-preemption and jurisdictional questions remain unresolved; it is not deciding whether the companies are liable. The ruling could affect dozens of similar suits, while Justice Alito’s recusal leaves open a tie that could preserve Colorado’s ruling without setting national precedent.
Stable
Federal climate-regulation rollbacks complicate the preemption dispute
Federal emissions rules and EPA authority are being rolled back or targeted for reversal. That retreat complicates arguments that federal law displaces state remedies, even as the companies argue that emissions-related claims belong under federal authority.
Stable
Proposed liability shields create a parallel constraint on climate suits
Alongside the Court case, federal bills and state-level proposals seek to restrict climate-liability claims against fossil-fuel companies. These are legislative efforts, not a single nationwide rule, but could limit remedies independently of the Court’s decision.
Key Numbers
more than two dozen lawsuits
similar climate-liability lawsuits
“The companies’ lawyers said allowing cases like Boulder’s to proceed could expose the fossil-fuel industry to billions of dollars in damages through lawsuits across the country. A ruling for the companies could stop Boulder’s case and affect more than two dozen similar lawsuits brought by states, cities, counties and tribes. A ruling for Boulder would still leave unresolved questions about how courts could calculate each company’s contribution to global emissions and the resulting effects in a particular locality.”
more than 100 environmental rules
EPA environmental rules rolled back
“During the first Trump Administration, EPA rolled back more than 100 environmental rules.”
11 cases
climate-damages cases stayed pending the outcome of Suncor v. Boulder
“State court judges have stayed 11 such cases pending the outcome of Suncor v. Boulder”
about 60 suits
similar climate lawsuits brought by municipal governments
“Their lawyer told the justices that about 60 similar suits have been brought by municipal governments around the country.”
dozens cases
similar lawsuits that could be shut down by a ruling for the companies
“A win for the oil and gas companies at the Supreme Court could shut down dozens of similar cases filed in recent years.”
Contested Issue
Are Boulder’s state-law climate-damages claims preempted because they regulate interstate emissions, or may they proceed as claims for compensation over local harms and alleged corporate conduct?
The companies and supporting legal arguments characterize the suit as an attempt to regulate global emissions, an area governed by federal law. Boulder and opposing legal analyses characterize it as a request for local compensation that does not regulate emissions, and argue federal law does not foreclose those state-law remedies.
Federal preemption
The claims are effectively an effort to regulate interstate or global emissions through state law, so federal law should bar them.
State-law compensation claims
The suit seeks compensation for local harms and alleged deception rather than emissions regulation, and state-law remedies need not be displaced by federal law.
Looking Back
386 Day Timeline
Oct '25
Dec '25
Feb '26
Apr '26
Jun '26
Aug '26
Oct '26
The Story So Far
No material change
There was no material change; the new articles reiterate the arguments and unresolved implications of the Supreme Court’s review of Boulder’s climate-liability case.
Previously
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue state-law climate-damages claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy. The companies argue that federal law governs claims tied to interstate emissions; Boulder says it seeks compensation for local harms and alleged deception. The Court has not decided whether the companies are liable, and its ruling could affect dozens of similar lawsuits.
History
10/27/2026
The current version leaves the story’s legal posture and expected outcome unchanged; it adds no material development beyond the previous account.
10/14/2026
The current version largely reinforces the existing account; it adds no material change to the case’s status or likely impact.
All Articles132 articles
Important
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected next year to decide in Washington whether Boulder-area climate damages claims against oil companies can proceed under state tort law, a ruling that may shape attribution science in U.S. climate litigation.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on October 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C., over whether Boulder County can pursue climate-damage claims against Suncor Energy and Exxon.
10/25/2026 • Policy & Regulation & Governance • General
On October 5 in Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments over whether federal law preempts Boulder County's climate-harm claims against Suncor and Exxon Mobil.
10/9/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington over whether Boulder can pursue state-law climate damages claims against Suncor and ExxonMobil.
10/8/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington, D.C., in Boulder's lawsuit seeking climate-related damages from Exxon Mobil and Suncor, with a ruling potentially shaping similar cases nationwide.
10/6/2026 • Policy & Regulation & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington on whether Boulder may pursue state court climate damages claims against Suncor and ExxonMobil.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday in Washington, D.C., on whether Boulder County, Colorado, can pursue climate-related damages claims against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is now considering the City and County of Boulder's climate-damages case against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil in Washington, D.C.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Oct. 5 in Washington, D.C., over whether Boulder may pursue climate-damages claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider on Monday whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue climate damages claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor in state court.
10/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court was scheduled Monday to hear the city and county of Boulder's lawsuit against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil over climate-related local damages in Colorado.
10/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing Boulder's climate liability case against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil on Monday in Washington, D.C., as the new term begins.
10/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider on October 5 whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue state-law climate claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor.
10/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County in Washington, D.C., reviewing whether Colorado climate-damages claims can proceed under state law.
10/2/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Suncor and another oil and gas company are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to halt Colorado local governments' climate-damages case over federal preemption.
10/2/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The US Supreme Court agreed in January 2026 in Washington, DC, to review whether Boulder can pursue state-law climate damages claims against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil.
10/1/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Boulder County's climate liability case against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil in Washington on October 5.
8/11/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
A speech in the U.S. in the 2010s ties Supreme Court emergency action against the EPA Clean Power Plan to climate-linked insurance and housing market risk in Florida.
5/8/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Harriet Hageman and Ted Cruz proposed the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act in 2026 to block state and federal fossil-fuel climate liability lawsuits.
5/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a federal antitrust climate liability lawsuit in 2020s-era court against major oil producers and API to allege cartel conduct.
3/31/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
During Supreme Court oral arguments in Washington, D.C., the justices considered whether Boulder County and other municipalities may pursue climate damage lawsuits against oil companies in state courts.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether federal law preempts Boulder County, Colorado, from pursuing climate nuisance claims against oil and gas companies amid EPA deregulation.
8/31/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
In October 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Washington, D.C., over whether Boulder can pursue climate damages claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor in Colorado court.
10/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether Boulder, Colorado, can proceed with a climate damages lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy, potentially affecting similar local-government cases nationwide.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in Washington on Boulder, Colorado’s effort to seek climate damages from Suncor Energy and Exxon Mobil Corporation.
10/2/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
House and Senate Republicans are advancing legislation in Washington, D.C., that would block climate liability lawsuits against fossil fuel companies as the Supreme Court reviews a Colorado case.
9/15/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Boulder and Boulder County asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow their climate damages lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy to continue in Colorado state court.
8/31/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oil companies' challenge to climate damages lawsuits in Washington, D.C., with a ruling expected by the end of its term in June.
5/10/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Multiple Republican-led state legislatures are debating laws to limit climate nuisance lawsuits against oil and gas companies as courts consider dozens of liability cases in the United States.
4/7/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
On October 5, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County in Washington, D.C., over climate-damage liability.
10/12/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
On October 5, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County over whether federal law preempts Colorado climate-damages claims.
10/9/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The US Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington over whether Boulder, Colorado, may pursue state-court climate damages claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy.
10/7/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Washington, D.C., on whether Boulder and Boulder County may pursue Colorado climate-damages claims against Suncor and ExxonMobil.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington on Boulder’s climate damages suit against Suncor and ExxonMobil, considering whether federal law bars state claims.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor Energy v. Commissioners of Boulder County in Washington, D.C., with a decision expected by summer 2027.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments during its 2026-2027 term in Washington, D.C., on whether Boulder may pursue climate damages claims against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil in Colorado state court.
10/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing Boulder, Colorado's climate-liability case against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy, with a ruling on federal preemption expected by summer 2027.
10/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider on October 5 whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue climate-related claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor.
10/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider during its new term whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue a state-law climate damages lawsuit against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil.
10/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Supreme Court will hear on October 5 whether federal law preempts Colorado governments suing Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil over alleged climate deception.
9/8/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The United States Supreme Court will hear Boulder County and City of Boulder arguments on October 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C., over climate damages claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor.
9/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Supreme Court ruled in 2025-2026 that presidents may remove independent agency commissioners without cause, potentially reshaping FERC and NRC regulation for energy and climate policy in the USA.
6/30/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Louisiana signed the Louisiana Energy Protection Act in 2020s legislation to block climate-harm lawsuits in Louisiana state courts against oil and gas companies.
6/14/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed the Louisiana Energy Protection Act in 2026, restricting state-court climate-damages lawsuits against energy producers while preserving liability for permit and emission-cap violations.
6/13/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Louisiana lawmakers approved a bill restricting greenhouse-gas climate lawsuits against oil majors while preserving existing coastal erosion litigation, with Gov. Jeff Landry expected to sign it soon.
6/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Environmental groups cite Hencely v. Fluor Corp in filings against DOJ efforts to preempt New York and Vermont climate superfund laws for greenhouse gas emissions.
5/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Colorado wildfire plaintiffs seek climate-damages recovery from fossil fuel companies as the U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear a Colorado-related preemption and liability case in 2021.
3/26/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
In Maryland, the Supreme Court in 2020s litigation rejected Baltimore-area localities attempts to seek climate damages from multinational oil and gas companies due to Clean Air Act preemption.
3/24/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
U.S. Supreme Court will hear appeals affecting whether Colorado and other U.S. localities can pursue fossil fuel climate tort liability amid federal preemption and jurisdiction disputes after EPA endangerment-finding rescission.
3/23/2026 • Climate Science & Impacts • General
On 5 October, the US Supreme Court heard arguments in Washington in a climate-liability case brought by Boulder, Colorado, against fossil-fuel companies.
10/9/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
London School of Economics researchers report increased protective climate litigation in 2025 after U.S. climate rollbacks, including EPA endangerment finding revocation and state-level challenges.
6/26/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
London School of Economics researchers report a 2025 surge in U.S. and global protective climate litigation against EPA and policy rollbacks tied to the second Trump term.
6/26/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Department of Justice filed in Minnesota federal court to block Minnesota from continuing climate lawsuits against major fossil fuel defendants.
5/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Republican legislators in Oklahoma and Utah in 2026 advanced bills that would restrict climate-related civil lawsuits against fossil fuel companies in their states.
1/13/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday in Washington, D.C., heard oil companies' appeal to move a Louisiana coastal damage verdict to federal court.
1/12/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
U.S. Supreme Court agreed in February 2026 to hear Suncor Energy Inc. v. Boulder County, focusing on federal preemption and jurisdiction for climate damages claims from Colorado.
6/1/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Boulder, Colorado and similar local governments seek Supreme Court review of fossil fuel accountability suits that could affect Clean Air Act-based climate regulation and state superfund laws.
5/1/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Suncor Energy v. Boulder County on October 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C., to consider federal preemption of climate-damage claims.
9/30/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hear Suncor v. Boulder County, the justices are weighing whether federal law bars Colorado climate-damages claims against oil companies.
9/29/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
On Oct. 5, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Exxon Mobil and Suncor's challenge to Boulder, Colorado's climate liability lawsuit, considering whether state courts can hear the claims.
9/24/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County in October in Washington, D.C., considering whether federal law blocks the county's state climate damages claims.
9/24/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Suncor Energy, Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County in Washington, D.C., on the first day of its October 2026 Term to consider federal preemption of local climate damages claims.
9/22/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider whether Boulder's climate damages case against Suncor and Exxon Mobil can proceed in Colorado state court.
10/1/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Interesting
Supported by Trump-era federal actions and Utah state law, US fossil fuel interests have pursued weaker greenhouse gas limits and expanded climate liability protections amid growing extreme-weather and health harms.
4/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
As the U.S. Supreme Court considers Boulder v. Suncor in the United States, Boulder is seeking climate-related damages from Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil over alleged effects of carbon dioxide emissions.
10/23/2026 • Policy & Regulation & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington over whether Boulder can pursue climate damages claims against Suncor and ExxonMobil in Colorado state court.
10/10/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington over whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue climate damages claims against Suncor and ExxonMobil in state court.
10/10/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on October 5 in Washington, D.C., over whether Boulder, Colorado, may pursue climate claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy in state court.
10/7/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Boulder County can pursue climate damages claims against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil in Colorado state court.
10/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Oct. 5 in Washington in Boulder’s climate lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy over jurisdiction.
10/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The US Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington, DC, on whether federal law preempts Boulder County's climate damages claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy.
10/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
At oral arguments in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Supreme Court considered whether Boulder County may pursue state-court climate-damages claims against Suncor Energy and Exxon Mobil.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Supreme Court heard arguments at the start of its new term in Washington, D.C., in a climate-damages case brought by Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy seeking to block Boulder's lawsuit.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
On the first Monday of its new term in Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County over jurisdiction and federal preemption of Boulder’s climate claims.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday in Washington, D.C., on whether Boulder County may pursue climate-cost claims against Exxon Mobil and Suncor under state law.
10/2/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
During its new term, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, a Colorado climate damages case involving federal preemption.
10/2/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Supreme Court will hear Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County on October 5 in Washington, D.C., involving state-law climate damages claims against energy producers.
9/17/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Seven Colorado ranchers supported Boulder’s Supreme Court climate lawsuit, while eight Colorado counties and a regional government group opposed the city’s position in Colorado and Washington, D.C.
9/11/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Energy companies face potential conflict and reputational concerns as WilmerHale, Arnold & Porter, and Latham & Watkins defend clients in climate lawsuits while maintaining ties to related legal organizations.
9/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Suncor v. Boulder County Commissioners on Oct. 5 in Washington, with Samuel Alito recused from the climate-damages case.
9/1/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Maryland Supreme Court dismissed lawsuits by Baltimore, Annapolis, and Anne Arundel County against major oil companies over alleged concealed climate impacts.
3/25/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Maryland Supreme Court dismissed Baltimore and two Maryland local government climate lawsuits against oil and gas companies, citing limits on state regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
3/24/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
At the opening of its new term, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Suncor and ExxonMobil's appeal in climate-damage lawsuits originating in Boulder, Colorado.
10/5/2025 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
In April 2026, U.S. Supreme Court and federal decisions limited equitable tolling and preemption, remanding climate and environmental lawsuits to state courts.
6/15/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
During its October sitting, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Suncor Energy v. Boulder County in Washington, considering whether Colorado may pursue state-law climate claims against fossil-fuel companies.
10/8/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Washington, D.C., in Boulder County's Colorado climate nuisance case against Suncor Energy and another energy company.
10/23/2026 • Policy & Regulation & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington in Suncor v. Boulder, a dispute over state-law climate damages claims against ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy.
10/10/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Washington, D.C., over whether Boulder can pursue climate-damage claims against Suncor Energy and Exxon in state court.
10/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments at the start of its new term in Washington, D.C., on whether Colorado climate-damage claims against Suncor and ExxonMobil may proceed under state tort law.
10/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
During the new Supreme Court term, the U.S. Supreme Court is hearing ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy's challenge to Boulder County's climate damages lawsuit in Washington, D.C.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider during its new term whether Boulder officials can pursue climate-related disaster cost claims against Suncor and ExxonMobil in Colorado.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will consider during its new term whether federal law blocks Boulder, Colorado's climate damages lawsuit against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
During the opening of its new term in Washington, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on whether Boulder's climate-damages suit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy can proceed.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
During the Supreme Court's current term, justices are hearing whether Boulder, Colorado, can pursue climate-related claims against Suncor Energy and Exxon Mobil in state court.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Seven Colorado ranchers filed a Supreme Court brief supporting Boulder’s climate liability lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy, citing drought and water shortages across Colorado.
9/5/2026 • Climate Science & Impacts • General
Wisconsin youth plaintiffs appealed a Dane County ruling dismissing a constitutional climate challenge to state energy laws after flooding and storm harms were alleged.
5/29/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Harriet Hageman, Ted Cruz, Cynthia Lummis, and August Pfluger introduced US bills in 2025 that expand fossil fuel immunity and ease Clean Air Act compliance while advancing the FENCES Act for state foreign-emissions attribution claims.
4/30/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed HB 222 restricting climate-liability lawsuits against fossil-fuel companies by requiring clear and convincing proof of direct causation.
4/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Supreme Court of Maryland dismissed Baltimore-area governments' climate tort claims against 26 fossil fuel companies on Clean Air Act and federal preemption grounds.
3/27/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Suncor v. Boulder on October 5, 2026, in Washington, D.C., concerning state-law climate damage claims against oil and gas companies.
9/17/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy's challenge to Boulder's climate-cost lawsuit on October 5 in a case concerning state-court authority in Colorado.
9/28/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court is preparing to hear oil companies' challenge to Boulder's climate-damages lawsuit, a case that could affect similar state claims nationwide.
9/28/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Noah Walker-Crawford reports in Transnational Environmental Law that major fossil fuel companies shift climate-litigation defenses by contesting causation, attribution standards, and expert credibility across Peru, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the United States.
3/25/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Supreme Court will hear Suncor and ExxonMobil's appeal over climate liability lawsuits during its new term, in a case arising from Boulder, Colorado.
10/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Supreme Court will hear Boulder County's climate liability case against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil on October 5 in Washington, D.C.
9/17/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Phil Weiser and allied state attorneys general urged the U.S. Supreme Court in a filing to let Colorado courts continue hearing Boulder’s climate damages lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy.
8/8/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser and other Democratic-led state attorneys general filed a Monday brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to leave Boulder climate-liability claims in Colorado state court.
8/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
A King County judge allowed a Washington wrongful-death climate heat case to proceed after oil-company motions to dismiss, amid state immunity laws and DOJ actions against similar litigation.
7/24/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
A Washington judge in 2021 heatwave climate tort litigation allowed a wrongful-death lawsuit to proceed after denying energy-company motions to dismiss.
7/23/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
A unanimous Ninth Circuit panel affirmed dismissal of Lighthiser v. Trump in 2020s, ruling youth plaintiffs lacked standing for speculative harms and non-redressable injunction scope.
6/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
A 9th Circuit panel rejected a youth climate lawsuit challenging Trump executive orders accelerating fossil-fuel development, citing speculative causation and limited judicial remedy scope.
6/2/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
DOJ filed in Minneapolis to block Minnesota's near-six-year climate deception lawsuit against major oil companies, arguing federal greenhouse-gas authority preempts state action.
5/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Union of Concerned Scientists filed a Supreme Court brief in Washington on August 3, 2026, supporting Boulder in its climate liability case against Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil.
8/3/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The Justice Department intervened in Minnesota v. ExxonMobil and others during 2020s litigation to block state climate lawsuits.
5/6/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Harriet Hageman and Ted Cruz introduced the Stop Climate Shakedowns Act of 2026 to grant oil and gas immunity from climate accountability lawsuits in the U.S.
4/24/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
U.S. Representative Harriet Hageman introduced a bill in April 2026 to grant fossil fuel companies immunity from climate-damage liability, echoing state actions in Tennessee, Utah, Iowa, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
4/17/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Twenty-two young plaintiffs appealed in Portland to revive Lighthiser v. Trump, challenging three Trump energy executive orders after dismissal in Montana.
4/13/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Maryland's Supreme Court in the 2020s upheld dismissal of climate nuisance lawsuits against Exxon Mobil, BP, and Chevron after finding federal preemption for interstate pollution claims.
3/25/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Inside Climate News details how, in January 2026, Justice Samuel Alito recused from a Louisiana wetlands liability case at the U.S. Supreme Court due to fossil fuel stock ownership.
1/13/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this term in Washington on whether Boulder's climate damages lawsuit against Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy can proceed in Colorado state court, with Justice Samuel Alito recused.
9/28/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Ahead of the Supreme Court term opening Oct. 5, John Yoo urged the U.S. Supreme Court to resolve whether federal authority precludes Boulder climate liability claims.
9/23/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Supreme Court review of Suncor Energy v. Boulder County could shape thousands of climate liability suits over fossil fuel responsibility.
5/20/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
State Armor launched a Washington advertising campaign in 2025 urging Congress to investigate the Environmental Law Institute over alleged Chinese ties and climate judicial education.
9/16/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Washington, D.C., Attorney General Brian Schwalb is pursuing climate-related consumer-protection claims against energy companies in Washington, D.C., while Todd Zywicki warns the litigation could broaden liability for political speech.
9/14/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Additional
Trump administration asked Judge Helen Gillmor to reconsider dismissal of its preemption case against Hawaii for climate deception litigation involving BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell.
6/25/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
In Minneapolis, the U.S. Department of Justice filed to block Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's 2020 climate deception lawsuit against ExxonMobil, Koch Industries, API, and Flint Hills Resources.
5/4/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Multnomah County lawyers in Oregon invoked Chevron v. Plaquemines Parish during oral arguments to resist a stay of climate liability litigation against fossil fuel companies.
4/27/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Supreme Court of Maryland rejected public nuisance climate claims on federal preemption and Maryland-law grounds, potentially limiting future suits on interstate pollution.
3/30/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Joana Setzer and Catherine Higham report a 2025 surge in U.S. climate protective lawsuits tied to Trump-era rollbacks, alongside similar litigation in Canada and Brazil.
6/26/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Utah enacted HB 222 in 2020s amid a US state push for fossil-fuel legal immunity, raising the evidentiary threshold for climate-damage lawsuits.
4/5/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
SCOTUS agreed to hear Boulder v. Exxon and Suncor, a climate accountability case that may determine whether plaintiffs can pursue state-court deception and damages claims.
3/23/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General
Hawai‘i lawmakers debate 2026 House action on Senate Bill 1166 to enable insurer recovery from fossil fuel firms for disaster payouts attributed to climate change.
3/24/2026 • Economy, Business & Innovation • General