The Supreme Court on Tuesday released its upcoming oral argument calendar for October, when the justices gavel in for their new 2026-2027 term and are set to hear a major climate dispute involving big oil and allegations of climate change.
During their first month back after summer recess, the justices also will grapple with bond hearing requirements for illegal aliens and whether they deserve certain due process protections.
In Suncor Energy v. County Commissioners of Boulder County, scheduled to be heard the first day of the new term on Oct. 5, Colorado communities allege that oil companies have created extreme summer heat, precipitation changes, wildfires, diseases and drought through their global activities.
They say it violates state law.
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.
The Colorado localities had urged the justices not to hear the case, arguing state courts are a viable battleground.
But at least four justices voted to take up the appeal from big oil, and the justices will prod the two parties with questions.
And in Genalo v. Black, to be argued Oct. 13 during the court’s second week, the high court is asked to decide if an illegal alien being detained deserves a bond hearing with particular due process protections.
The case was brought by two illegal aliens who have been detained for seven and 21 months, and argue their detentions have become “unreasonably prolonged.”
Rulings in the disputes likely won’t come until months later, usually by the end of next June, when the court wraps up the term.
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