Jay Inslee Blast Oil Companies Outside Supreme Court in Exxon Climate Case

Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is taking aim at the oil and gas industry as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a major climate-change case involving ExxonMobil, Suncor Energy and local governments seeking damages for alleged climate-related harms. The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments October 5 in Suncor Energy v. Commissioners of Boulder County. The case centers on a lawsuit brought by Boulder, Colorado, against ExxonMobil and Suncor Energy. Boulder is seeking compensation for alleged past and future damages and costs associated with climate change, including impacts involving wildfires, flooding, drought and extreme heat. At issue before the Supreme Court is whether federal law prevents Boulder's state-law claims against the fossil-fuel companies from proceeding. ExxonMobil and Suncor argue that climate change and interstate greenhouse-gas emissions are national and international issues governed by federal law and that Boulder's state-law claims are preempted. Boulder argues that its claims can proceed under Colorado law. The outcome could have consequences far beyond Colorado, with nearly 60 similar climate lawsuits involving state and local governments pending around the country. Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee appeared outside the U.S. Supreme Court as arguments got underway. Inslee accused the oil and gas industry of decades of deception over climate change, calling it the “biggest lie in American history.” “For decades they lied. They deceived. They defrauded,” Inslee told reporters while arguing that states and local governments should have access to the courts to pursue their claims against fossil-fuel companies. Inslee also framed the dispute as an issue of access to the judicial system, arguing that oil and gas companies should not be shielded from state and local climate lawsuits. The energy companies deny wrongdoing and argue that allowing individual states and local governments to use state law to seek damages tied to global greenhouse-gas emissions conflicts with federal authority. The Supreme Court's eventual ruling could reshape climate litigation involving ExxonMobil, Suncor Energy and other fossil-fuel companies across the United States. Today's report examines Jay Inslee, ExxonMobil, Suncor Energy, the U.S. Supreme Court, climate-change lawsuits, fossil fuels, the Clean Air Act, state climate litigation and the growing legal fight over whether oil companies can be held financially liable under state law for alleged climate-related damages. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of the U.S. Supreme Court, Washington state, Jay Inslee, energy policy, climate litigation and government. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersquarewa Msg & data rates may apply. #JayInslee #SupremeCourt #ExxonMobil #Suncor #BigOil #ClimateChange #ClimateLawsuit #Exxon #Energy #WashingtonState #SCOTUS #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus