Jay Inslee Takes On Oil Companies at U.S. Supreme Court + Judge Rules Sheriff Laws Unconstitutional

Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is taking aim at the oil and gas industry as the U.S. Supreme Court hears a major climate-change case that could affect lawsuits against fossil-fuel companies across the country.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday in Suncor Energy v. Boulder County, a case involving ExxonMobil, Suncor Energy and local governments in Colorado seeking damages for alleged climate-change impacts.

At issue is whether federal law prevents state-law claims against fossil-fuel companies for alleged harms tied to greenhouse-gas emissions and climate change.

Similar climate lawsuits have been filed around the country, making the Supreme Court's eventual decision potentially significant for states, cities, counties and the energy industry.

Former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee appeared outside the U.S. Supreme Court as arguments began.

Inslee accused the oil and gas industry of decades of deception about climate change, calling it the “biggest lie in American history,” and argued that local governments should have access to the courts to pursue their claims.

ExxonMobil and Suncor dispute the allegations and argue that state and local governments cannot use state law to address what they describe as a global emissions issue governed by federal law.

Also in today's Washington In Focus Daily, the debate over Initiative 638 is intensifying ahead of Washington's November 3 election.

I-638 concerns participation in K-12 athletics and would require policies prohibiting students the initiative defines as biologically male from competing against female students in certain girls-only athletic competitions.

The initiative would also require students seeking to participate in those competitions to provide a signed statement from a health-care provider verifying biological sex.

Supporters of I-638 gathered in Vancouver, Washington, over the weekend for a rally featuring female athletes and former U.S. national gymnastics champion Jennifer Sey.

Supporters argue the initiative is necessary to protect fairness and opportunities in girls sports.