US supreme court to hear big oil’s bid to block climate damage lawsuits

What happened: The US supreme court heard arguments in Suncor Energy Inc v County Commissioners of Boulder County, where ExxonMobil and Suncor argue federal law bars state courts from hearing Boulder's climate damages lawsuit. Key numbers: Hearing lasted almost two hours. Boulder filed its lawsuit in Colorado court in 2018. Why it matters: A ruling for the companies could affect dozens of other climate cases brought by state and local governments. Experts said the court may find it hard to write a majority decision siding with industry.

The US supreme court heard arguments in Suncor Energy Inc v County Commissioners of Boulder County, where ExxonMobil and Suncor argue federal law bars state courts from hearing Boulder's climate damages lawsuit.

A ruling for the companies could affect dozens of other climate cases brought by state and local governments. Experts said the court may find it hard to write a majority decision siding with industry.