SCOTUS will not hear climate change case involving almost half of U.S. states

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECLINED TO INTERVENE IN A DISPUTE OVER CLIMATE CHANGE INVOLVING NEARLY HALF OF THE NATION’S STATES.

A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN-LED STATES HAD BEEN ATTEMPTING TO BLOCK FIVE DEMOCRATIC-LED STATES FROM BRINGING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST MAJOR OIL AND GAS COMPANIES OVER THEIR ALLEGED CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL WARMING.

THE HIGH COURT’S DECISION CLEARS THE WAY FOR LAWSUITS FILED BY CALIFORNIA, CONNECTICUT, MINNESOTA, NEW JERSEY, AND RHODE ISLAND TO PROCEED IN STATE JURISDICTIONS.

THESE SUITS, FILED BETWEEN 2018 AND 2023, ALLEGE THAT THE ENERGY COMPANIES MISLED THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DANGERS OF FOSSIL FUEL PRODUCTS-

DESPITE KNOWING FOR DECADES THAT GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE DEMOCRATIC-LED STATES CLAIM THIS DECEPTIVE MARKETING CAUSED CONSUMERS TO USE MORE FOSSIL FUELS, EXACERBATING ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE.

MEANWHILE, ALABAMA AND 18 OTHER REPUBLICAN-LED STATES URGED THE SUPREME COURT TO HALT THE LITIGATION-

ARGUING THAT STATE COURTS SHOULD NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE ACTIVITIES BEYOND THEIR BORDERS-

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ENERGY PRODUCTION GOVERNED BY FEDERAL LAW.

WARNING THAT IF THE LAWSUITS SUCCEED, THEY COULD HAVE SWEEPING IMPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY SYSTEM AND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE POWER.

HOWEVER, THE DEMOCRATIC-LED STATES MAINTAIN THIS LITIGATION DOES NOT INFRINGE UPON THE RIGHTS OF OTHER STATES TO PURSUE THEIR OWN ENERGY POLICIES.

JUSTICES CLARENCE THOMAS AND SAMUEL ALITO DISSENTED FROM THE SUPREME COURT’S DECISION NOT TO HEAR THE CASE-

WITH THOMAS WRITING THE COURT’S REFUSAL UNDERMINES THE CONSTITUTION’S PROVISION FOR RESOLVING DISPUTES BETWEEN STATES.

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