Showalter Quoted on Supreme Court Battle With Louisiana and Houston Oil Giants

Houston Chronicle

Partner J. Michael Showatler was quoted on the US Supreme Court agreeing to hear an appeal on two lawsuits brought by Louisiana localities against Chevron Corp. and other major oil companies.

Mike said that the Supreme Court does not typically hear climate change cases that originate in state courts out of deference to state law. However, the Court may make an exception for a case that involves federal government and could impact states’ rights.

“This is kind of classically the biggest environmental case that we have this term,” Mike said.

Mike said that many current lawsuits against oil and gas companies are based on alleged violations of state environmental laws or claims of “greenwashing,” which often reflect policy priorities in predominantly “blue” states.

Mike said that the result will be more lawsuits of this kind, even from states that have historically supported the oil and gas sector, as they pursue resources that are increasingly difficult to obtain from the federal government.

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