Climate Change Deception Lawsuits Move Closer to State Trials

Climate lawsuits long-locked in jurisdictional wrangling moved closer to trial in state courts after the Supreme Court on Monday scrapped oil company petitions for review.

Justices in a short order denied five petitions from oil companies in cases from local governments in California, Colorado, Hawaii, and Maryland that blame the companies for contributions to climate change.

The decision gives climate deception battles a big boost toward state courts, which could end up proceeding to blockbuster trials that would require the companies—including Exxon Mobil Corp., BP Plc, Chevron Corp., and Shell Plc—to defend claims that they knew their products contribute to ...