In recent years, an unfortunate narrative has taken hold among some local officials that energy producers should be held liable for the global challenge of climate change. This narrative, while convenient to those looking to cast blame on a single industry, is at odds with the reality that energy manufacturers are a key part of any effective solution. Indeed, manufacturers across the board not only have acknowledged the need to tackle climate change but have backed up their words with actions, embracing innovative policies to reduce their environmental footprint.

Despite those efforts, they find themselves in court: over a dozen states, cities, and counties have filed lawsuits against fossil fuel producers, seeking to extract money to cover the impacts of climate change. After two years of bouncing around federal and state courts, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to weigh in. On Jan. 19, the Justices will hear oral arguments in their review of an appeals court decision remanding Baltimore’s lawsuit against energy producers to state court.