Supreme Court seeks Biden administration's views in major climate change lawsuits

Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Biden administration to share its views in a pair of cases involving the city of Honolulu's efforts to hold major oil and gas companies accountable for the impacts of climate change.

The one-lined order from the court invites the solicitor general to submit a brief in two appeals of a Hawaii Supreme Court decision brought by the energy industry. Justice Samuel Alito did not participate in the consideration of the cases. Though he did not provide an explanation, it is likely because Alito owned stock in ConocoPhillips, one of the companies named in the suits.

The legal battle brought by Honolulu and pursued in Hawaii state court is similar to others filed against the nation's largest energy companies by state and local governments in their courts. Honolulu claims that the oil and gas industry engaged in a deceptive campaign and misled the public about the dangers of their fossil fuel products and the environmental impacts.