Plain-English summary
Does federal law preclude state-law claims over harms from interstate and international greenhouse-gas emissions?
Boulder County and others sued oil and gas companies, alleging local harms from global greenhouse-gas emissions. The Court will decide whether federal law prevents state-law nuisance, trespass, and related claims that seek relief for injuries caused by interstate and international emissions.
Why this matters
A decision for the companies could sharply limit local governments' ability to use state courts and state law to hold fossil-fuel companies accountable for climate damage, pushing disputes into federal regulatory channels. A decision for the counties would preserve a path for state-law climate suits seeking compensation or abatement for local harms caused by global emissions. The ruling could affect where climate policy and litigation are resolved and who can seek remedies for climate-related injuries.
Who may feel it
- Local governments and municipalities suing fossil-fuel companies
- Fossil-fuel companies and energy producers
- State and local courts and regulators
- People and communities experiencing climate-related harms
- Federal government agencies involved in climate and energy regulation