In a groundbreaking move, Multnomah County in Oregon has filed a lawsuit against major oil and gas companies, including Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, and ConocoPhillips, for their role in causing and exacerbating the deadly heat dome that hit the Pacific Northwest in 2021. The county asserts that these companies and others operating in the region bear significant responsibility for the damages caused by the extreme heat event.
According to Multnomah County, the historical carbon pollution resulting from the use of fossil fuel products by these companies was a substantial contributing factor to the heat dome that plagued the county for several days. The lawsuit seeks to hold Anadarko Petroleum (acquired by Occidental Petroleum in 2019), American Petroleum Institute, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil, Koch Industries, Marathon Petroleum, McKinsey & Company, Motiva, Occidental Petroleum, Peabody Energy, Shell, Space Age Fuel, Total Specialties USA, Valero Energy, and Western States Petroleum Association accountable for their actions.
The county is seeking $50 million in actual damages, $1.5 billion in future damages, and an estimated $50 billion for an abatement fund to strengthen the city’s infrastructure and public health services in preparation for future extreme weather events.
During the heat wave in June 2021, Multnomah County experienced record-breaking temperatures, with three consecutive days reaching 108, 112, and 116 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. These temperatures were approximately 40 degrees above the regional average and resulted in the deaths of 69 people, property damage, and a strain on taxpayer resources. Scientists have determined that the heat dome was primarily caused by excessive carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.
Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson emphasizes the need for accountability and fairness in protecting the county’s residents. She states that these companies knowingly sold unsafe and harmful products while deceiving the public about the catastrophic consequences of their actions. Pederson believes that it is time to hold these companies responsible for their lies and the damages caused.
The lawsuit is being brought forth by three law firms specializing in catastrophic harm litigation: Worthington & Caron PC, Simon Greenstone Panatier PC, and Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost. They argue that the defendants’ negligence, fraud, and creation of a public nuisance warrant legal action.
The defendants, including Exxon, the American Petroleum Institute, Chevron, and Shell, denounce the lawsuit as counterproductive and a waste of resources. They emphasize their commitment to addressing climate change and transitioning to a low-carbon future. Chevron’s legal counsel argues that these lawsuits are distractions from the need for coordinated policy responses to climate change and that they target a lawful industry that provides significant benefits to society.
Despite the defendants’ objections, Multnomah County remains steadfast in its pursuit of justice. The county aims to expose the fossil fuel companies’ knowledge of the harm caused by their products and their efforts to downplay and conceal this information from the public. By seeking accountability, Multnomah County hopes to make progress in the fight against climate change and protect its residents from future extreme weather events.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
