The industry has faced a series of cases alleging it deceived the public about how fossil fuels allegedly contribute to climate change. Governments in states including California, Colorado and New Jersey are seeking billions of dollars in damages from things like wildfires, rising sea levels and severe storms.
In Hawaii, Sunoco and Shell appealed to the Supreme Court after losing in front of the state's highest court on a lawsuit from the city of Honolulu. Other companies that have faced lawsuits elsewhere include Chevron, Exxon Mobil and BP.
The companies argue emissions are a national issue that should instead be fought over in federal court, where they've successfully had suits tossed out.
“The stakes in this case could not be higher," attorneys wrote in court documents. The lawsuits “present a serious threat to one of the nation’s most vital industries.”
The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, said declining to hear the Honolulu case now means the companies could face more lawsuits from activists trying to “make themselves the nation's energy regulators.”
“I hope that the Court will hear the issue someday, for the sake of constitutional accountability and the public interest,” said Adam White, a senior fellow at the institute.
