Amy Coney Barrett calls oil companies' arguments 'slippery' in climate suit
Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett criticized fossil fuel companies as “a little slippery” in oral arguments over a lawsuit in which oil majors claim that federal law blocks states from suing them for climate change-related damages.
TL;DR
- Justice Amy Coney Barrett called arguments from fossil fuel companies in a climate change lawsuit "a little slippery."
- The case, Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, involves lawsuits by states against oil companies for alleged climate change contributions.
- Oil companies, including Suncor and Exxon Mobil, argue that federal law, specifically the Clean Air Act, preempts state attempts to sue them for damages.
- Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned whether the EPA's asserted lack of authority under the Clean Air Act would mean no lawsuits are permitted.
- Boulder County sued Suncor and Exxon Mobil in 2018, accusing them of public nuisance, unjust enrichment, and civil conspiracy related to climate change.
- The Colorado Supreme Court previously allowed the lawsuit to proceed, but the oil companies are seeking to overturn that decision.
- Justice Samuel Alito has recused himself from the case, which could lead to a 4-4 deadlock and send the case back to lower courts.