Beach blasts and unusually dangerous weapons

SCOTUSblog

by John Elwood

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The U.S. Supreme Court has taken up two significant cases with major implications for environmental law and regulatory processes. The first case, *Suncor Energy (U.S.A.) Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County*, challenges whether state lawsuits against oil and gas companies for their role in climate change can proceed under state law or are preempted by federal law. This case is closely watched as it could set a precedent for numerous similar suits brought by state and local governments. In the second case, *Department of the Air Force v. Prutehi Guahan*, the Air Force is defending its hazardous munitions disposal practices on Guam against procedural challenges. The 9th Circuit ruled that the Air Force’s permit renewal application required an Environmental Impact Statement under NEPA, a decision the government argues could create bureaucratic chaos by subjecting every permit application to immediate review. The *Suncor Energy* case hinges on federal preemption, with energy companies arguing that state lawsuits are invalid due to conflicting federal regulations. The outcome could significantly impact how climate-related litigation proceeds in state courts, potentially shifting the balance of power between federal and state authorities. In the *Prutehi Guahan* case, the dispute centers on whether agency actions like permit renewals are subject to NEPA requirements before legal consequences arise

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Originally published on SCOTUSblog on 2/26/2026