Description: Lawsuit brought by youth plaintiffs against State of Utah and State defendants claiming that the State's fossil fuel development policies violate the plaintiffs' substantive due process rights.
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Natalie R. v. State
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary 01/20/2023 Request Download Request for retention submitted by appellants. Utah Supreme Court Will Hear Youth Plaintiffs’ Appeal of Dismissal of Climate Case Against State Defendants. In a January letter requesting that the Supreme Court retain the appeal, the plaintiffs stated that the issues presented on appeal included: (1) Is deciding the constitutionality of statutes governing fossil fuel development a nonjusticiable political question?; (2) Can there be no possible set of facts under which fossil fuel policies can conceivably infringe the rights to life, liberty, and property under Utah’s due process clause?; and (3) Can a declaration of the unconstitutionality of a statute, without further relief, provide meaningful redress? The plaintiffs asserted that the Supreme Court should retain the appeal because the case involved important constitutional questions of first impression. The plaintiffs also contended that the case afforded the Supreme Court an opportunity to resolve confusion about the standard for whether a case presents a nonjusticiable political question. -
Natalie R. v. State
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary 11/10/2022 Press Release Download Motion to dismiss granted. Utah Court Dismissed Youth Plaintiffs’ Climate Case Against State Defendants. A state district court in Utah dismissed a lawsuit brought against the State of Utah and other State defendants for allegedly violating the substantive due process rights of youth plaintiffs under the Utah constitution to life, health, and liberty by maximizing, promoting, and systematically authorizing development of fossil fuels. Counsel for the plaintiffs reported that the court’s brief written decision stated that the plaintiffs had a “valid concern” but dismissed their claims, citing the political question doctrine, redressability, and substantive due process issues. Plaintiffs said they would appeal the dismissal. 11/09/2022 Memorandum Decision Download Motion to dismiss granted. 06/10/2022 Opposition Download Memorandum filed opposition motion to dismiss. 05/06/2022 Motion to Dismiss Download Motion to dismiss filed. 03/15/2022 Complaint Download Complaint filed. Youth Plaintiffs Claimed Utah Fossil Fuel Policy Violated Due Process Rights. Youth plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in Utah state court alleging that the State of Utah and other State defendants violated their substantive due process rights to life and liberty under the Utah Constitution by maximizing, promoting, and systematically authorizing the development of fossil fuels. The plaintiffs alleged that the State’s “Fossil Fuel Development Policy” and the defendants’ implementation of the Policy caused and contributed to dangerous air quality and climate change that harmed the plaintiffs, and that the youth plaintiffs were “disproportionately vulnerable to the harms of the climate crisis.” The plaintiffs also contended that the defendants had long-standing knowledge (since the 1960s) of the air quality and climate change dangers of fossil fuels. The plaintiffs sought declaratory relief—which the plaintiffs alleged “would substantially influence and stop the conduct of Defendants”—and attorneys’ fees and costs.