Maryland High Court Rejects Municipal Climate Change Damages Suit

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Maryland's highest court has dismissed several local government lawsuits seeking to recover damages from energy companies for harm caused by climate change. The court ruled that federal law preempts the state-level claims, which included public nuisance, trespass, and failure to warn allegations.

Why it matters

This decision is a significant setback for state and local governments looking to hold major energy companies accountable for climate change-related costs and damages. It aligns with a growing body of case law that limits the ability of state courts to address global emissions issues.

The details

In 2018, the city of Baltimore filed a lawsuit against several large energy companies, alleging their fossil fuel activities contributed to climate-related damages to the city. Similar lawsuits were later filed by Anne Arundel County and Annapolis. After years of procedural disputes, the cases were consolidated and reached Maryland's Supreme Court. The court ultimately upheld the dismissal of the local government suits, determining the state-level claims were displaced by federal common law and preempted by federal legislation like the Clean Air Act.

• The case dates back to 2018 when the initial lawsuit was filed by the city of Baltimore.
• Maryland's Supreme Court issued its consolidated decision on the cases on March 27, 2026.