Supreme Court allows Hawaii climate change lawsuits against energy companies to move forward
CBSJan 15
US Supreme Court Allows Honolulu Climate Lawsuit to Proceed
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Above: The US Supreme Court on Jan. 8, 2025. Image copyright: Ting Shen/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) on Monday rejected appeals from fossil fuel companies attempting to dismiss Honolulu's lawsuit related to climate change. The case will proceed in Hawaii state court.
The city and county of Honolulu, as well as its Board of Water Supply, filed the lawsuit in March 2020 against major companies, including Sunoco, Shell, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and BP, seeking billions in damages for climate change impacts.
In the lawsuit, Honolulu decided to focus on allegedly deceptive marketing and public statements by oil companies rather than physical impacts of climate change. The municipality claims the companies misled the public about fossil fuel dangers.
The Spin
Left narrative
This is a great victory for the environmentally-conscious plaintiffs in this case and the dozens across the US who are suing to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for its deception and destruction. The lengths the companies are going to try to keep this case out of the courts just adds to its legitimacy and the urgency with which the courts should handle it.
Right narrative
This was a disappointing decision by SCOTUS, but this case still seems destined to fail. Beyond the preposterous claims of the case, it also threatens two pillars of the US government — federalism and the separation of powers — because states can't regulate activity outside of their borders and Congress is responsible for regulating interstate commerce.
