Former Attorney General Bill Barr is not a fan of attempts to blame individual firms for climate change.
He called the idea “voodoo” at an event this week looking ahead to the Supreme Court’s first blockbuster oral argument when its new term opens next month.
“This litigation is over a global phenomenon,” Mr. Barr said, questioning the wisdom of global warming lawsuits against firms.
The justices will hear a case involving Boulder County, Colorado and its challenge to Suncor Energy and ExxonMobil, arguing they misled the public about the dangers of fossil fuels.
Boulder lays blame for extreme summer heat, precipitation changes, wildfires, diseases and drought at the feet of the two energy firms.
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But the companies — backed by the Justice Department — say states shouldn’t be able to exert control over energy activities that occur outside state lines.
Mr. Barr said legal precedent says a state cannot go beyond its own role and police an international forum.
“I think the Supreme Court was a little late coming in on this issue,” he said. “It really has to be addressed and handled quickly.”
The justices will hear oral argument in the Suncor case on Oct. 5.
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