The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a request from 19 Republican-led states to stop five Democratic-led states from pursuing lawsuits against major oil companies. These lawsuits accuse the oil companies of misleading the public about the role of fossil fuels in climate change.
The Republican states, led by Alabama, filed the case directly with the Supreme Court. They argued that the Democratic states were overstepping their authority by trying to regulate emissions and the U.S. energy system through state courts. However, the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented, saying the court should have considered the case because it involves nearly half the states and alleges serious constitutional violations. The Supreme Court typically only hears appeals but has “original jurisdiction” in cases between states.
The Democratic-led states, including California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, are seeking financial compensation. They claim that oil companies like Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Shell, and BP created a public nuisance by hiding the dangers of fossil fuels for decades. The companies deny any wrongdoing.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison welcomed the decision, saying it was an attempt to avoid accountability and play politics with the Constitution. The Supreme Court has previously rejected similar attempts by oil companies to dismiss climate change cases.
In a related matter, the Biden administration supported skipping both the industry’s appeal and the Republican states’ lawsuit. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is expected to oppose such lawsuits, calling them “frivolous litigation from environmental extremists.”
The Democratic states argue that their lawsuits do not aim to regulate fossil fuel production but rather address local harms caused by deceptive practices. They describe the Republican case as “meritless” and based on a misunderstanding of their climate change lawsuits.