Lawsuits Seeking Damages for Climate Change Face Key Legal Challenges

"Big oil and gas companies maneuver to steer the lawsuits into federal court, setting the stage for a possible showdown in the U.S. Supreme Court."

"With a dozen state and local governments in court seeking damages related to climate change from fossil fuel companies, the U.S. Supreme Court may be the final stop for an  industry seeking protection from billion dollar verdicts.

At some point, one of the lawsuits is likely to drop into the lap of the high court and its newly cemented conservative block of justices.

Rhode Island, Baltimore, tiny Imperial Beach, California and the other localities for the most part want the cases tried in state court and out of federal jurisdiction, arguing that climate-induced extreme weather linked to oil and gas consumption has led to billions in property damage and huge remediation costs."

David Hasemyer reports for InsideClimate News January 28, 2020.

Source: InsideClimate News, 01/29/2020