A report by the Heritage Foundation and Power The Future estimates that American households could pay an average of $1,465 more annually in energy costs if climate lawsuits and related “superfund” measures against oil and gas companies succeed. The authors say companies would likely pass additional costs to consumers through higher prices for petrol, electricity and other essentials, while the issue gains attention ahead of a major Supreme Court case.

The analysis covers more than 300 pending lawsuits, three state climate-superfund laws, 12 proposed state measures and one federal bill. In its full-success scenario, it estimates $194 billion in extra annual costs, potentially adding about 41 cents per gallon of petrol and raising residential electricity rates by 8.6%; the authors stress that this is not a prediction that every measure will succeed. The Supreme Court’s case involving Boulder, Colorado, could determine whether state and local governments may pursue such claims in state courts.