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The latest edition.Published October 26, 2026. When there's news, a new edition is added and this one is kept as is.
Courts & lawClimate lawsuits against oil companies
Justices appear divided over Boulder climate suit against Suncor, Exxon
Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, argued at the Supreme Court on October 5, 2026, on whether federal law bars state-law suits seeking climate-related damages from energy companies; and how the ruling affects similar suits by other states and cities.
Boulder sued Suncor and ExxonMobil in Colorado state court in 2018, seeking compensation for costs it attributes to climate change.1Free to readSCOTUSblogOct 5, 2026Court sends mixed signals on whether it will allow state-tort suits seeking to hold energy companies liable for climate change to go forwardThe Supreme Court on Monday opened its new term by hearing arguments in a lawsuit filed in state court by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, seeking to hold two major energy companies responsibOpen source scotusblog.com, 2Free to readCBS NewsOct 5, 2026Supreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuitWashington — The Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a complex dispute involving an effort by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, to hold energy companies accountable for the effects of globalOpen source cbsnews.com
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that federal law did not bar Boulder's state-law claims, allowing them to go forward.1Free to readSCOTUSblogOct 5, 2026Court sends mixed signals on whether it will allow state-tort suits seeking to hold energy companies liable for climate change to go forwardThe Supreme Court on Monday opened its new term by hearing arguments in a lawsuit filed in state court by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, seeking to hold two major energy companies responsibOpen source scotusblog.com
The U.S. Supreme Court granted the companies' petition on February 23, 2026, and added a question about its own jurisdiction.3Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025) 2025-08-28: Waiver of right of respondent Cty. Comm'rs of Boulder Cty., et al. to respond filed. 2025-09-03: DISTOpen source supremecourt.gov
The court's clerk notified counsel on September 28, 2026, that Justice Samuel Alito would not participate in the case.3Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025) 2025-08-28: Waiver of right of respondent Cty. Comm'rs of Boulder Cty., et al. to respond filed. 2025-09-03: DISTOpen source supremecourt.gov, 2
At argument on October 5, 2026, it was not clear whether a majority agreed that federal law bars Boulder's claims.1Free to readSCOTUSblogOct 5, 2026Court sends mixed signals on whether it will allow state-tort suits seeking to hold energy companies liable for climate change to go forwardThe Supreme Court on Monday opened its new term by hearing arguments in a lawsuit filed in state court by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, seeking to hold two major energy companies responsibOpen source scotusblog.com, 2
Still open
The court has not ruled on the merits or on its jurisdiction, and CBS News reported a decision is expected by summer 2027.3Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025) 2025-08-28: Waiver of right of respondent Cty. Comm'rs of Boulder Cty., et al. to respond filed. 2025-09-03: DISTOpen source supremecourt.gov, 2
The Story So Far
Every milestone in order, with the records and reporting behind it.
2018
During the year
Boulder sued Suncor and ExxonMobil in Colorado state court over climate change costs.
CBS NewsFree to readCBS NewsOct 5, 2026Supreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuitWashington — The Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a complex dispute involving an effort by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, to hold energy companies accountable for the effects of global
Free to read
CBS NewsOct 5, 2026
Supreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuit
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a complex dispute involving an effort by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, to hold energy companies accountable for the effects of global
Supreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuit
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a complex dispute involving an effort by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, to hold energy companies accountable for the effects of global
Supreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuit
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a complex dispute involving an effort by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, to hold energy companies accountable for the effects of global
With Alito recused, a 4-4 tie would leave the Colorado Supreme Court ruling in place, allowing Boulder's case to proceed.1Free to readSCOTUSblogOct 5, 2026Court sends mixed signals on whether it will allow state-tort suits seeking to hold energy companies liable for climate change to go forwardThe Supreme Court on Monday opened its new term by hearing arguments in a lawsuit filed in state court by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, seeking to hold two major energy companies responsibOpen source scotusblog.com, 2Free to readCBS NewsOct 5, 2026Supreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuitWashington — The Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a complex dispute involving an effort by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, to hold energy companies accountable for the effects of globalOpen source cbsnews.com
(Free to read)
2CBS NewsFree to readCBS NewsOct 5, 2026Supreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuitWashington — The Supreme Court on Monday grappled with a complex dispute involving an effort by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, to hold energy companies accountable for the effects of globalOpen source cbsnews.comSupreme Court wrestles with energy companies' bid to block major climate-change lawsuit(Free to read)
3Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025) 2025-08-28: Waiver of right of respondent Cty. Comm'rs of Boulder Cty., et al. to respond filed. 2025-09-03: DISTOpen source supremecourt.govNo. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.(Official record)
Boulder filed its brief opposing Supreme Court review.
Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.New entries on No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.: 2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025)Open source supremecourt.gov
2026
February 23
The Supreme Court granted review and added a question on its own jurisdiction.
Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.New entries on No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.: 2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025)Open source supremecourt.gov
May 14
The energy companies filed their merits brief.
Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.New entries on No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.: 2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025)Open source supremecourt.gov
July 27
Boulder filed its merits brief.
Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.New entries on No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.: 2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025)Open source supremecourt.gov
August 4
The Supreme Court set the case for argument on October 5, 2026.
Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.New entries on No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.: 2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025)Open source supremecourt.gov
September 28
The court notified counsel that Justice Alito would not participate in the case.
Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.New entries on No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.: 2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025)Open source supremecourt.gov
October 5
The Supreme Court heard argument, with the United States supporting the energy companies.
Supreme Court docket 25-170Official recordSupreme Court docket 25-170Oct 5, 2026No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.New entries on No. 25-170, Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc., et al. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, et al.: 2025-08-08: Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due September 11, 2025)Open source supremecourt.govSCOTUSblogFree to readSCOTUSblogOct 5, 2026Court sends mixed signals on whether it will allow state-tort suits seeking to hold energy companies liable for climate change to go forwardThe Supreme Court on Monday opened its new term by hearing arguments in a lawsuit filed in state court by the city and county of Boulder, Colorado, seeking to hold two major energy companies responsibOpen source scotusblog.com