First case of the new term
The US Supreme Court began its 2026-27 term on Monday with a climate case. The first argument was Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) v. Commissioners of Boulder County, a lawsuit that asks whether a county can seek money from oil and gas companies over the effects of climate change.
Boulder County, in Colorado, says the companies knew for decades that burning fossil fuels would warm the planet and cause harm. The county is seeking damages tied to wildfires, floods and other events.
ExxonMobil and Suncor deny the claims. They want the case thrown out before a trial.
The companies' arguments
The companies make two main points. First, they say state law cannot be used to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, because emissions cross state and national borders. In their view, only the federal government can set policy on an issue with global reach.
Second, they warn that if the Boulder case and similar suits go to trial, energy firms could face damage awards running into the billions of dollars. They argue that would amount to national energy policy made by local courts.
The county and its supporters say the suits are ordinary claims about harm and misleading conduct, not a backdoor attempt to write national rules.
What comes next
Justice Samuel Alito did not take part in the argument. The court has not said why. A decision is expected in the coming months.
The climate docket is not limited to one case. On October 7 the justices are set to hear a separate environmental dispute about a federal hazardous waste permit and the timing of court review.
The term also includes cases on immigration detention and on guns. The court has not yet decided any case from the new term.