The U.S. Supreme Court is denying a petition to move a climate change lawsuit filed by the Rhode Island Attorney General from state to federal court.
The fossil-fuel companies made the request, but as a result of Monday's action, the Rhode Island case and others from California, Colorado, Maryland and Hawaii will proceed in state courts which are perceived as being friendlier territory.
The High Court sided with a lower court ruling which declared that even though the state makes no mention of the issues under federal common law- the issues are federal in nature.
Rhode Island was the first state five years ago to sue the companies for having a role in causing climate change.
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