Supreme Court to Hear Oil and Gas Lawsuit Over Climate Change Damages

The conservative-majority court agreed to take up a case from Boulder, Colorado, one of multiple lawsuits alleging the industry deceived the public about fossil fuels' climate impact.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Supreme Court said it will hear from oil and gas companies trying to block lawsuits seeking to hold the industry liable for billions of dollars in damage linked to climate change. The case out of Boulder County, Colorado will likely have implications for other similar lawsuits around the country, some of which have been dismissed while others work their way through state courts.

Why it matters

This case represents a high-stakes battle between state and local governments seeking to recoup climate change-related costs, and the oil and gas industry which argues emissions are a national issue that should be heard in federal court, where similar suits have been dismissed.

The details

Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil appealed to the Supreme Court after Colorado's highest court let the Boulder case proceed. The companies argue emissions are a national issue that should be heard in federal court, where similar suits have been tossed out. The Trump administration has also weighed in to support the companies, saying it would mean 'every locality in the country could sue essentially anyone in the world for contributing to global climate change.'

  • The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case on February 24, 2026.
  • Arguments in the case are expected in the fall of 2026.

The players

Suncor Energy

An oil and gas company that appealed the Boulder case to the Supreme Court.

ExxonMobil

An oil and gas company that appealed the Boulder case to the Supreme Court.

Boulder, Colorado

One of multiple local governments that has filed lawsuits seeking to hold the oil and gas industry liable for climate change-related damages.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration weighed in to support the oil and gas companies and urge the Supreme Court to reverse the Colorado court decision.

Jonathan Koehn

The climate initiatives director for the city of Boulder, who said the case is about 'fairness' and ensuring the 'financial burden of adaptation' doesn't fall solely on local taxpayers.

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What’s next

The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in the case in the fall of 2026.

The takeaway

This case represents a high-stakes legal battle over who should pay for the costs of climate change, with state and local governments seeking to hold the oil and gas industry accountable, while the industry argues emissions are a national issue that should be handled at the federal level.