deseret.com
Supreme Court hears argument in Colorado climate case that could have implications for Utah
The Supreme Court on Monday heard oral arguments in a case stemming from Boulder, Colorado, focused on whether states and municipalities can sue oil companies responsible for the damages from climate change. The case is the first of the Supreme Court’s new term and a complicated dispute that could have wide ranging implications for the energy industry. It also leaves billions of dollars hanging in the balance. Boulder County officials sued two oil companies, Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy, and claimed the companies should be liable for the cost of damage they say is caused by climate change in the area. Those defending the oil companies say Democratic-led states and local governments are trying to push for policy change through the court system instead of legislatively and claim the Clean Air Act gives the federal government the power to govern greenhouse gases, not state and local governments. Boulder officials argue that there are more heat waves, destructive wildfires and severe droughts because of climate change and that they threaten the safety of the people in their county. Depending on how the justices rule in the case, it could usher in a flurry of environmental lawsuits. Utah AG in Washington for...