WASHINGTON — On Monday, the Supreme Court dismissed an attempt by Republican attorneys general from 19 states to halt climate change lawsuits filed by Democratic states against the oil and gas sector.
The decision came in response to a unique initiative by Republicans aiming to challenge the strategy of Democratic states using their own courts to take legal action against fossil fuel companies, accusing them of misleading the public about the environmental risks posed by their products.
Typically, the Supreme Court addresses appeals, but the Constitution permits it to handle original lawsuits filed by states against one another. In a dissent that did not touch on the merits of the case, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito expressed that they would have allowed the lawsuit to proceed at this preliminary phase.
They noted that the court is unable to reject the complaint at this juncture.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, contends that the efforts by Democratic states aim to govern national energy policy and could lead to increased energy costs across the United States. Thus far, the Supreme Court has also shown reluctance in entertaining appeals from energy companies seeking to involve the justices in this matter.
Numerous state and local governments have initiated lawsuits alleging that fossil fuel companies deliberately misled the public regarding their products’ role in exacerbating the climate crisis. These lawsuits highlight claims of billions of dollars in damages linked to extreme weather events, wildfires, and rising sea levels.
The Republican effort specifically targeted lawsuits initiated by states such as California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island.
The argument hinges on the stance that only federal authorities possess the capacity to regulate interstate gas emissions, and states lack the jurisdiction to enforce their own laws on an atmosphere that transcends their geographic boundaries.
