Sadly, the judge didn’t say to the city in the lawsuit “You don’t like fossil fuels? Don’t use them”
Charleston’s Climate Lawsuit Against Oil Giants Is Dismissed
A judge in Charleston, S.C., dismissed on Wednesday the city’s lawsuit against oil and gas companies over their role in climate change, ruling that the case raised questions that were far beyond the bounds of state laws.
During two days of hearings in May, lawyers for the city argued that the companies, ranging from giants like Exxon Mobil and Chevron to local firms, had covered up what they knew about the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions. They accused the companies of mounting a disinformation campaign to cast doubt on climate science and failing to warn the public about the dangers ahead.
Those actions increased demand for fossil fuels, which led to emissions and the grave risks linked to climate change that the historic coastal city now faces, including flooding and sea-level rise, they argued. The case cited state tort laws and the state’s Unfair Trade Practices Act and sought funds for adaptation and mitigation projects.
In his 45-page decision, Judge Roger M. Young wrote that while the lawyers argued the claims were about deception, “they are premised on, and seek redress for, the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.” He said that those issues fall squarely under federal and not state law, and that the court lacked jurisdiction over out-of-state companies.
We’re increasingly seeing this as the response of the judges. But, really, Charleston wouldn’t run without fossil fuels. City services, including the FF vehicles for the mayor and other city officials. All the cruise ships. The airports. All the boats and ships. All the people driving to Charleston in FF vehicles. All the residents. Maybe Charleston should try banning them, see how that works out.
When will the elected officials of municipalities like Charleston here finally figure out that the enormous amount of money wasted on these frivolous lawsuits would be better spent on hiring more cops and prosecutors and updating city infrastructure (i.e. filling potholes etc.)?
Sounds like the first republican mayor since the 1800s ain’t any better than the democrats that have run the city into the dumpster that it is. Glad I got out.