Supreme Court to Review Boulder Climate Suit Against Exxon

The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will hear an appeal from Exxon Mobil Corp. and Suncor Energy Inc., challenging a lawsuit by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, that seeks to hold the companies accountable for climate change damages. The case, which stems from a 2018 complaint, highlights a growing wave of litigation against fossil fuel producers and could reshape how such claims are handled nationwide.

Boulder officials filed the suit under state consumer protection laws, alleging that Exxon Mobil and Suncor knowingly contributed to global warming through the production, promotion and sale of fossil fuels. The plaintiffs claim the companies misled the public about the risks of greenhouse gas emissions, exacerbating local harms such as extreme weather, wildfires and rising temperatures. They estimate the resulting damages could cost millions in adaptation and mitigation efforts within Boulder County.

In 2024, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the case could proceed in state court, rejecting the energy companies' motion to dismiss. The companies had argued that federal law preempts such state-level claims, as climate change involves interstate and...