Multnomah County is pursuing over $1.5 billion in damages from a group of defendants, including Peabody Energy, ConocoPhillips, and Occidental Petroleum.
Multnomah County chair, Jessica Vega Pederson, emphasizes the importance of accountability and fairness in this lawsuit. She asserts that these businesses knowingly sold unsafe and harmful products, profiting from their deceit while leaving the rest of the community to suffer the consequences and bear the financial burden. She believes that it’s time to put an end to this injustice.
Why It Matters: Climate lawsuits are increasing worldwide
This lawsuit is part of a growing global trend of climate litigation.
Recently, a significant case involving 16 young individuals against the state of Montana concluded. The plaintiffs argued that Montana’s support of the fossil fuel industry violated their rights to a clean and healthy environment, as guaranteed by the state constitution.
In recent years, various states and cities across the United States have filed lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, accusing them of deceiving the public about the perils of climate change. These lawsuits claim that the companies’ emissions have exacerbated extreme weather conditions, resulting in harm to people and property. Legal actions filed by the attorneys general of New York, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, among others, are currently progressing through the judicial system. The first trial may take place later this year.
In April, the Supreme Court ruled that climate-related cases brought by cities and municipalities should be litigated in state courts, as opposed to federal courts. This decision improved the chances of plaintiffs receiving damage awards, as fossil fuel companies were expected to have an advantage in federal courts.
The Oregon lawsuit stands out as one of the first complaints seeking damages for a specific weather event, particularly a heat dome. It is also the first case of its kind related to a heat dome. Last year, 16 Puerto Rican municipalities filed a lawsuit against fossil fuel companies for damages caused by two hurricanes in 2017.
Background: The deadly 2021 heat dome
In the final days of June 2021, an intense heatwave swept across the Pacific Northwest.
Seattle, known for its rainy winters and cool summers, experienced record-breaking temperatures of 108 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, the thermometer at the Portland International Airport soared to 115 degrees.
Multnomah County suffered dire consequences. Temperatures reached a staggering high of 116 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking previous records and leading to the tragic deaths of 69 individuals. Additionally, extensive property damage occurred.
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