House Republicans File Brief Urging Supreme Court to Block Boulder County Climate Lawsuit Against Oil Companies

More than 70 House Republicans filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reject Boulder County's lawsuit against major oil companies. The brief was filed on behalf of the lawmakers by attorneys with the law firm Boyden Gray. , led the group.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments this fall in Suncor v. Boulder. A ruling is expected in 2027. Boulder County originally sued the oil companies in 2018. The Colorado Supreme Court later allowed the case to proceed under state law.

The Republican brief argues that liability claims over global climate damages belong under federal jurisdiction. It states that state-court rulings would create a "cacophony of competing state commands" that undermine Congress' role in setting national energy policy.

"The Court should reject this attempt by Respondents to establish their 'own foreign policy' from a Boulder courthouse," the brief reads.

The brief also warns that a ruling for Boulder County could produce large economic losses. "The sheer magnitude of the alleged damages would restructure the American energy industry if not bankrupt it altogether — and cause ripple effects worldwide, especially when multiplied by the dozens of similar cases across the country," it states.

Scalise said the lawsuits represent an effort to bypass legislation.

"Radical activists are trying to use the courts to accomplish what they couldn't achieve through legislation — forcing their radical agenda on the American people and driving energy costs even higher," he said. "These lawsuits would hand local activist politicians the power to dictate national energy policy and threaten the energy producers that power our economy," Scalise added. Rep.

Signed the brief. He said the suits affect jobs and costs in his state. "These lawsuits and regulations aren't just attacks on oil and gas companies — they're attacks on Colorado jobs, American energy independence and every family already struggling with higher costs," Evans said.

"I will continue fighting to protect Colorado energy workers and unleash the all-of-the-above energy strategy our nation needs," he said.