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Climate deadlines collide with politics as Dem-led states chase Big Oil in court but spare local refiners

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Climate deadlines collide with politics as Dem-led states chase Big Oil in court but spare local refiners

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Several Democrat-led states are facing conflicting forces in their efforts to transition to 100% green power, as leaders try to shore up the power grid while other officials sue fossil fuel companies in the same light activists did to tobacco firms in the 1990s.

In that decade, dozens of states sued tobacco giants Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds, alleging they knowingly endangered public health and misled consumers about nicotine’s addictiveness. The cases culminated in a $200 billion “master settlement” in 1998 that banned billboard advertising and reshaped corporate liability in the industry.

Today, several jurisdictions in Colorado are suing ExxonMobil and Suncor in a similar fashion, accusing them of knowing their product harms the environment and public health.

Boulder, Colorado, along with Boulder County and San Miguel County received the blessing of the Colorado Supreme Court in May to move forward with their suit, and officials claimed the energy companies “greatly contributed to an altered climate.”

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SUPREME COURT MUST FREEZE THE CLIMATE EXTORTION OF OUR ENERGY INDUSTRY

A Valero refinery operates in Benicia, California. (David Paul Morris/Getty Images)

“This case seeks to hold these companies responsible for knowingly contributing to climate change while concealing the dangers of their products,” Boulder city officials said in a statement.

According to a release from Boulder City, Coloradans could face hundreds of millions of dollars in added costs needed to “adapt” to a climate changed by continued reliance on such companies.

ExxonMobil countered that federal law preempts Colorado’s authority to apply state law to the alleged injuries.

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“We’ve maintained from the beginning this case is meritless and has no place before a state court,” the company said in an emailed statement to Climate in the Courts.

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Meanwhile, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis set a 2040 goal for moving the Centennial State away from fossil fuels, but was questioned by critics for trying to maintain fossil fuel infrastructure at the same time.

Rep. Jeff Hurd, R-Colo., previously asked the Trump administration to force Colorado to keep the Comanche power plant online to avoid an “energy emergency,” according to Colorado Public Radio (CPR).

Last week, the Polis administration joined with Xcel Energy to petition state regulators to keep Comanche Unit 2 online for at least another year. The coal plant was supposed to close Dec. 31.

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Reached for comment, Polis spokesperson Eric Maruyama told Fox News Digital that a separate Comanche coal-fired unit is broken and that the state will benefit from keeping Unit 2 operational.

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“Colorado is well on its way to achieving 100% clean energy and reducing emissions while saving people money and ensuring energy reliability,” Maruyama said.

“Renewable energy remains the least expensive form of energy, and thanks to Governor Polis’ leadership, in 2024, 43% of Colorado’s total electricity was produced by wind, solar or other renewable sources while maintaining among the lowest energy costs in the country.”

Reports show Coloradans have the third-lowest electricity costs in the nation relative to income.

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Hawaii also sued oil firms in 2024, alleging they violated the state constitution’s “public trust doctrine,” claiming companies deceived the public regarding fossil fuels’ alleged harm done to the state’s resources.

Back on the mainland, California is dealing with its own complex energy production situation, according to critics, who point to Democratic governors over the past decade-plus who have worked to set strict deadlines for moving the Golden State away from oil and gas.

Former Gov. Jerry Brown and Gov. Gavin Newsom set a 2045 deadline for achieving carbon-free energy under SB-100. In July, the California Energy Commission under the Newsom administration held talks with “market players” to discuss the planned closure of two major oil companies’ refineries by 2026, according to Politico.

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Phillips 66 and Valero both are considering or have started the process of shutting down their operations, and a source familiar with the situation said that oil companies must regularly analyze whether costly maintenance cycles that occur on average every five years are worth funding.

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Chevron already moved out, shifting its headquarters from Contra Costa County to Houston, Texas – but it continues to support some California operations.

With the state positioned against fossil fuels for the long term, these companies have to think seriously about investing in such maintenance cycles to keep their operations running smoothly, the source said.

Valero told California officials earlier this year it plans to seriously consider idling or ending production by April, according to Politico.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the state energy commission told the outlet it has been “actively supporting conversations with a variety of market players to discuss pathways to address the impacts of the closure intent announcements of the Phillips 66 refinery in Wilmington and Valero refinery in Benicia.”

NEWSOM CLAIMS TRUMP IS ‘HANDING THE FUTURE TO CHINA’ AT BRAZILIAN CLIMATE CONFAB THAT WH SKIPPED

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California Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones, R-San Diego (Reuters)

The outlet described the dynamic as an “about-face after the past two years” of “Newsom focused on preventing gasoline price spikes by increasing regulations on refiners.” Over the summer, his administration proposed loosening permitting requirements for new oil wells in the Bakersfield area.

California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones, R-San Diego, criticized Newsom’s approach.

“Social engineering and market manipulation on the part of government never end well,” he said.

“We’re seeing that now in California and everyday citizens are the ones paying the price for Gavin Newsom’s political experiments: Gasoline prices are through the roof and rising, and the average family can’t afford to survive, much less thrive, here in the Golden State.”

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Jones said the affordability crisis in his state is “real” and is only exacerbated by recent and looming refinery closures.

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“We need a major course correction that puts working families over ideology. Absent that, I’m not sure this ends well.”

Fox News Digital reached out to Newsom’s office for comment for purposes of this story. 

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West

Two wounded in Portland shooting involving federal agents after DHS says vehicle ‘weaponized’ against them

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Two wounded in Portland shooting involving federal agents after DHS says vehicle ‘weaponized’ against them

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed a U.S. Border Patrol agent shot two people in Portland, Oregon, after the driver of a car allegedly attempted to run over federal officers.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:19 p.m. local time, when Border Patrol agents stopped a vehicle and identified themselves as law enforcement, DHS said.

According to DHS, the driver – who is believed to be a member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) – allegedly, “weaponized the vehicle and attempted to run over the law enforcement agents.”

Fearing for his life and safety, an agent fired a defensive shot, according to DHS. The driver drove off with the passenger, fleeing the scene, officials said.

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DHS said the driver was also allegedly involved in a recent shooting in the city.

NOEM CONDEMNS ALLEGED ATTACK ON ICE AGENTS STUCK IN SNOW IN MINNEAPOLIS AS ‘ACT OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM’

FBI agents at the scene of an alleged shooting involving federal agents. (KPTV)

Following the incident, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson called on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “halt all operations” in the city until a full and independent investigation can take place.

“We know what the federal government says happened here,” Wilson said during a news conference Thursday. “There was a time when we could take them at their word. That time has long passed.”

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Wilson added that ICE agents and DHS leadership “must fully be investigated and held responsible for the violence inflicted on the American people in Minnesota, in Portland, and in all the communities across America.”

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek reacted to the shooting, claiming it was “instigated by the reckless agenda of the Trump administration.”

“While the details of the incident remain limited, one thing is very clear: when a president endorses tearing families apart and attempts to govern through fear and hate rather than shared values, you foster an environment of lawlessness and recklessness,” she said.

Kotek said Oregon’s attorney general and other leaders have raised concerns with the excessive use of force by federal agents in Portland, adding that “today’s incident only heightens the need for transparency and accountability.”

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced the state DOJ has launched a formal investigation into the shooting.

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Portland District Attorney Nathan Vazquez hosts a press conference outside a medical building in Portland after a shooting involving federal agents occurred. (KPTV)

Portland District Attorney Nathan Vazquez said Thursday he was “very concerned” by the incident and pledged a thorough investigation.

Vazquez said his office is working closely with Portland police and the FBI.

Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers responded to reports of a shooting on the 10200 block of Southeast Main Street at about 2:18 p.m. local time and confirmed federal agents were involved, according to the city.

Fewer than 10 minutes later, at 2:24 p.m., officers were told a man who had been shot was calling and requesting help in the area of Northeast 146th Avenue and East Burnside. 

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Police responded and found a man and woman with apparent gunshot wounds, according to the city. They were taken to the hospital and their conditions are unknown. 

The City of Portland released a map of where a shooting took place Thursday afternoon in Portland, Oregon. (City of Portland)

Both scenes were secured by the PPB pending an investigation, officials said.

No arrests have been confirmed.

“We are still in the early stages of this incident,” PPB Chief Bob Day wrote in a statement. “We understand the heightened emotion and tension many are feeling in the wake of the shooting in Minneapolis, but I am asking the community to remain calm as we work to learn more.”

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Two people were allegedly shot by federal agents in an Oregon neighborhood. (KPTV)

MINNEAPOLIS ICE SHOOTING PROTESTERS SET UP CAMP, BARRICADE ROADS AS SCHOOLS, BUSINESSES CLOSE IN CITY ON EDGE

Audio released Thursday evening from a 911 call captures a request for emergency assistance after a man was shot twice in the arm and a woman, identified as his wife, was shot in the chest.

PPB officers were not involved in the incident, and “do not engage in immigration enforcement,” according to city officials.

Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., reacted to the shooting on X, blaming the Trump administration for “inflaming violence.”

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“I’m monitoring the first awful reports of two people shot in Portland by federal law enforcement,” Wyden wrote in the post. “I’ll keep you updated, but Trump’s deployment of federal agents in my hometown is clearly inflaming violence–and must end.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., said he had “huge concern” about a reported shooting of two individuals by federal agents outside Portland Adventist Hospital.

“Please keep protests of Trump’s ICE/CBP peaceful, as Trump wants to generate riots,” Merkley said, adding, “Don’t take the bait.”

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Oregon state Sen. Kayse Jama forcefully rejected the presence of ICE and other federal agencies in the state, saying, “We do not need you.”

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“You are not welcome and you need to get the hell out of our community,” Jama said at a news conference.

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San Francisco, CA

49ers Show ‘Resiliency’ in Upset Victory, Thanks to LFG Winner Demarcus Robinson

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49ers Show ‘Resiliency’ in Upset Victory, Thanks to LFG Winner Demarcus Robinson


The San Francisco 49ers suffered another devastating injury on Sunday. But, thanks to a strong supporting cast, they found a way to prevail once again.

San Francisco pulled off the biggest playoff upset so far in what’s been a wild wild-card round, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, 23-19, on the road. Unheralded wide receiver Demarcus Robinson was a major reason behind Sunday’s upset as he hauled in six receptions for a game-high 111 yards and a touchdown en route to winning Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game.

When Robinson spoke with Brady after the game, it didn’t take long for him to find the one word to describe the 49ers. 

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“If it was one word, I’d say resiliency. Resilient,” Robinson said of his team. “These guys play with resiliency. We’ve got a lot of injuries throughout the year. Even tonight, like you said, losing Kittle, guys stepped up and knew they had to make plays. That’s what we were able to do today, go out and make plays.”

Sunday’s victory also came in comeback fashion for the Niners, who rallied from a 16-10 fourth-quarter deficit despite losing tight end George Kittle in the first half to a torn Achilles.

Tom Brady’s LFG Player of the Game: 49ers WR Demarcus Robinson 🏆

Robinson’s resiliency was on full display on the 49ers’ opening possession. He turned an intermediate pass from Brock Purdy over the middle into a 61-yard gain, zigzagging through the Eagles’ secondary on his way to Philly’s 16-yard line. He then caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Purdy to end the drive.

There was possibly no greater sign of the team’s resiliency, however, than the play that gave them a 17-16 lead early in the fourth quarter. After their offense seemed stuck in the mud for most of the game, the 49ers found the end zone when wide receiver Jauan Jennings threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to running back Christian McCaffrey on a trick play.

Robinson was just one of a few supporting characters who contributed to the 49ers’ win. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk had a season-high four receptions for 49 yards, making a pair of big grabs that helped set up touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Defensively, linebacker Garret Wallow had a game-high 11 total tackles after recording just nine total tackles in the regular season. 

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The 49ers’ top player in McCaffrey also showed his resilience in the win. McCaffrey turned 21 touches into 114 yards and two touchdowns, with the second TD coming via a 4-yard grab with 2:54 remaining to give the 49ers a decisive 23-19 lead.

“I think the guys are just playing with resiliency, man,” Robinson said of his team. “Everybody knew what we had at stake. Everybody came out there and did their part. So, that helped us get the dub.”

The injury to Kittle was his second serious injury of the season after he missed time earlier in the year due to a hamstring tear. San Francisco has also seen some of its other stars get sidelined for the majority of the year, such as edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner.

Warner could potentially return later in the postseason, but another key piece in wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who missed Sunday’s game, remains in limbo as he battles a knee injury. Of course, Purdy missed time this year due to shoulder and toe injuries that cost him eight games.

Despite all of that, the 49ers will now move on to play for a spot in the NFC Championship Game when they take on the Seahawks in Seattle next weekend. They nearly hosted the divisional round game, but lost to the Seahawks at home, 13-3, in the regular-season finale to give Seattle the NFC West and the conference’s No. 1 seed. 

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Robinson is optimistic, however, that there will be a different result this time around. 

“Hopefully, we get the dub, obviously,” Robinson said. “We’ve just got to lock in, man. We’ve got to lock in and put more points on the board than we did last week at home. Just put more points on the board. The defense played lights out tonight. Hopefully, we keep playing that same way, man, and it leads to more dubs.”

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Denver, CO

Broncos will face Chargers or Bills in divisional round (date coming soon)

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Broncos will face Chargers or Bills in divisional round (date coming soon)


The Denver Broncos are just hours away from learning their opponent for the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

As the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed, the Broncos have a bye for the wild-card round this weekend. They will play the lowest advancing seed from the conference, and there are now two candidates.

The Buffalo Bills (the No. 6) seed defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. The only lower seed in the AFC are the Los Angeles Chargers (No. 7), who will face the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football this evening. So if L.A. wins, they will face Denver next weekend. If the Chargers lose, the Broncos will host the Bills next weekend.

Broncos divisional opponent

  • If Chargers win: Chargers @ Broncos
  • If Chargers lose: Bills @ Broncos

The NFL will likely announce the date, time and television channel for the Broncos’ playoff game during or just after SNF. Denver is coming off a bye and there’s another AFC wild-card game scheduled for Monday, so the Broncos will likely be scheduled to play on Saturday, Jan. 17 (but that hasn’t been confirmed yet).

Stay tuned. We will know Denver’s opponent later today, and the game date should also arrive soon.

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