[ECO]Oregon Climate Lawsuit Intensifies

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Natural gas giant NW Natural Gas and fossil think tank Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine added to an Oregon climate lawsuit against Exxon.

Multnomah County, Oregon, has broadened its climate accountability lawsuit by adding two new defendants: NW Natural Gas (NWN), the state’s largest natural gas supplier, and the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM), a research organization. The county’s Oregon climate lawsuit, initiated on June 22, 2023, seeks compensation for costs associated with addressing the impacts of fossil fuel-induced global warming.

This lawsuit is part of a growing trend of climate litigation across the ******* States and globally. In recent years, numerous local governments and states have filed similar suits against

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. Notable examples include

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lawsuit against five major oil companies in 2018, which was ultimately dismissed, and the state of Rhode Island’s ongoing case against 21 fossil fuel companies. These cases often face significant legal hurdles, with courts grappling with questions of jurisdiction and causality.

The expanded

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alleges that NWN bears responsibility for a significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution in Oregon. Additionally, the company is accused of extensively disseminating misinformation about the climate harm caused by such emissions. NWN, established as Oregon’s oldest natural gas provider, now finds itself at the center of this legal battle.

OISM, the other newly named defendant, is characterized in the amended complaint as a propagandist for the fossil fuel industry. The Oregon climate lawsuit contends that OISM works to mislead the public about the likelihood and magnitude of harmful climate change resulting from fossil fuel combustion.

The legal action stems from the county’s assertion that the oil and gas industry has long been aware of the environmental consequences of their products. According to the Oregon climate lawsuit, industry scientists knew as early as the 1950s that burning fossil fuels would release greenhouse gases, leading to a superheating of the Earth’s surface and subsequent destructive climate changes. Despite this knowledge, the lawsuit claims these companies engaged in a campaign of deception, downplaying the likelihood of such harmful events occurring.

Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson emphasized the financial and human toll of the climate crisis on the local community. “We’re already paying dearly in Multnomah County for our climate crisis – with our tax dollars, with our health, and with our lives,” Pederson stated. She highlighted the need to bolster the county’s safety net to protect residents from climate-related dangers.

The impacts of climate change on Multnomah County extend far beyond the 2021 heat dome event that resulted in at least 69 fatalities among county residents. The region has experienced a range of climate-related challenges in recent years. Average annual temperatures in Portland, the county seat, have risen by about 2.5°F since 1940, with a notable acceleration in warming over the past few decades. Winters have become milder and wetter, while summers are hotter and drier, straining local infrastructure and ecosystems.

The county has also witnessed changes in precipitation patterns, with more intense rainstorms leading to increased flood risks in some areas. Conversely, prolonged dry spells have exacerbated wildfire dangers, as evidenced by the severe wildfire seasons of recent years that have affected

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and public health across the region. These climate impacts have had far-reaching consequences for local agriculture, forestry, and tourism industries, further motivating the county’s pursuit of compensation through legal channels.

Pederson drew parallels between the Oregon climate lawsuit and past legal battles against the tobacco industry, acknowledging the challenges ahead. “As we learned in this country when we took on big tobacco, this is not an easy step or one I take lightly,” she said. However, she expressed confidence that this legal approach represents the best strategy to safeguard the community and secure its future.

The Oregon climate lawsuit, officially titled “County of Multnomah vs. Exxon Mobil Corp, et al,” is currently pending in the Circuit Court in Portland. As of now, no trial date has been set for the lawsuit.

This legal action by Multnomah County is part of a growing trend of climate litigation across the ******* States and globally. Local governments, states, and even some countries are increasingly turning to the courts to

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companies accountable for their role in climate change and to seek financial compensation for adaptation and mitigation efforts.

The addition of NW Natural Gas and the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine to the Oregon climate lawsuit underscores the complex web of actors involved in the climate change debate. By targeting not only direct emitters of greenhouse gases but also organizations accused of spreading misinformation, Multnomah County is adopting a multifaceted approach to address what it sees as the root causes of climate inaction.

As the Oregon climate lawsuit progresses, it may set important precedents for how the legal system handles climate accountability claims and could potentially influence future policy decisions regarding fossil fuel use and climate change mitigation strategies. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for local and state-level climate policies, regardless of whether Multnomah County prevails in court.

If successful, the Oregon climate lawsuit could pave the way for more aggressive climate action at the local level, potentially inspiring other municipalities to pursue similar legal strategies. It might also encourage state legislators to enact stricter regulations on greenhouse gas emissions or to allocate more resources for climate adaptation and resilience measures.

Even if the Oregon climate lawsuit is unsuccessful, the increased public attention and debate surrounding the case could spur policy changes. Local policymakers might feel compelled to take more decisive action on climate issues, such as implementing more stringent

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, expanding public transportation options, or setting more ambitious renewable energy targets.

Moreover, the Oregon climate lawsuit could influence how companies operating in Multnomah County and throughout Oregon approach their environmental responsibilities. Businesses might proactively adopt more sustainable practices or increase their investments in clean

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to avoid potential legal and reputational risks.

Ultimately, this legal action by Multnomah County represents a bold attempt to address the complex challenges of climate change through the judicial system, while simultaneously shaping the policy landscape for future climate action.

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