In California, where the lawsuits seek billions of dollars to pay for mitigation measures, such as sea walls to protect coastal property, the oil and gas companies responded by seeking to move the cases to federal courts, where nuisance claims are less likely to succeed. That jurisdictional battle rages on. Two California cases that were moved to federal court were dismissed by a judge who said the dangers of climate change are "very real" but that the issue should be handled by Congress.
Key Events:
July 17, 2017:
San Mateo County, Marin County and Imperial Beach file separate lawsuits in California Superior Court seeking damages from 37 fossil fuel companies over sea level rise.
Sept. 19, 2017:
San Francisco and Oakland file lawsuits in California Superior Court seeking damages from five fossil fuel companies over sea level rise.
Dec. 20, 2017:
Santa Cruz and Santa Cruz County file lawsuits in California Superior Court against 29 fossil fuel companies, seeking compensation for climate change-related damage.
Jan. 8, 2018: Exxon asks a Texas court to
grant a discovery order allowing the company to question officials in counties and cities suing.
Jan. 9, 2018:
New York City files suit in federal court against five fossil fuel companies over climate change-related costs.
Jan. 22, 2018:
City of Richmond files lawsuit in California Superior Court against 29 fossil fuel companies.
March 16, 2018: Federal judge rules some of the cases should be tried in state court,
creating a conflict with another judge who ruled similar cases belong in federal court.
March 21, 2018: Federal judge overseeing the San Francisco and Oakland cases hosts a
climate change tutorial for the court. Chevron took the lead during the
session.
BP,
Shell and
ConocoPhillips filed statements agreeing with Chevron's comments;
Exxon said its viewed differed.
April 17, 2018: In Colorado, the city of
Boulder, Boulder County and San Miguel County file a lawsuit in District Court seeking to hold Exxon and Suncor accountable for costs related to climate change.
April 30, 2018: Five of the cities and counties
file a response with the Securities and Exchange Commission after Exxon supporters called for the SEC to investigate them over their bond disclosures.
May 9, 2018:
King County, Washington, files a lawsuit in King County Superior Court against BP, Chevron, ConocoPhilips, Exxon and Royal Dutch Shell over infrastruture, health and environment costs related to climate change. King County is home to Seattle.
June 11, 2018: In Colorado, Boulder and San Miguel counties and the City of Boulder
add a claim of "civil conspiracy," alleging Exxon and Suncor Energy worked together to promote the use of fossil fuels while dismissing the consequences of climate change.
June 25, 2018: Federal judge
dismisses the San Francisco and Oakland cases, saying the dangers of climate change are "very real" but that the issue should be solved by Congress.
July 2, 2018: The state of
Rhode Island sues fossil fuel companies in state court over the effects of climate change.
July 19, 2018: A federal judge
dismisses New York City's lawsuit, saying climate change should be dealt with by Congress and the president, not the courts.
July 20, 2018:
Baltimore sues 26 fossil fuel companies in states court in Maryland.
Fossil Fuels on Trial: Where the Major Climate Change Lawsuits Stand Today
But then, there are many lawsuits out there right now.
. Oh....and hows that going s0ns?
. If they had even been marginally successful, renewable energy would be more than the joke it is today!!! Providing America with a whopping 5% of our electricity!
