At least one climate lawsuit against oil and gas companies has been put on hold as the Supreme Court takes up the industry’s bid to quash a swath of litigation seeking compensation for dealing with climate change.
A federal judge in Washington state signed an order Tuesday halting a lawsuit filed in November by state residents against Exxon Mobil and other oil producers, alleging that a spike in climate-fueled natural disasters has led to rising homeowner insurance premiums. The lawsuit is one of dozens nationwide that attempts to get the industry to foot the bill for the effects of a warming planet.
In one of those cases, filed by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, the Supreme Court last week agreed to consider whether federal law prohibits local governments from filing their climate liability lawsuits in state courts.
More stays are possible as a result of the Supreme Court’s move.
