On June 22, Multomah County, Oregon filed a
lawsuit seeking billions in damages from 17 of the largest fossil fuel companies
over the 2021 heat dome. The county retained our office along with the
law firm Simon, Greenstone, Panatier and Thomas, Coon, Newton & Frost
to hold these fossil fuel companies accountable for the damages inflicted
from one of the most deadly and destructive human-made weather disasters.
L to R. Shree Patel, James Coon, John Caron, Roger Worthington, Ray Thomas
and Chris Thomas
Press Release - June 23, 2023
According to the county
Press Release
“The heat dome was a direct and foreseeable consequence of the Defendants’
decision to sell as many fossil fuel products over the last six decades
as they could and to lie to the County, the public, and the scientific
community about the catastrophic harm.”
Public Nuisance - June, 2023
Resolution declaring climate change a
Public Nuisance and authorizing The Office Of County Attorney to pursue legal remedies
for damages caused by Climate Change. Thursday, June 22, 2023. See the
resolution:
MC Resolution
First Amended Complaint - August 8, 2023
Rather than allowing the County’s case to proceed on the merits
in Oregon state court, Big Oil responded to the County’s
complaint by removing the case to federal court.
Plaintiff's Motions to Remand, Expedited Hearing Requested- October 2, 2023
On October 2nd, 2023 the County countered by filing a
motion to remand the case back to Oregon state court.
Plaintiff's Reply to Defendant Response in Opposition to Plaintiff's
Motion to Remand - December 12, 2023
In Reply to Defendant Space Age Fuel, Inc's Response in
Opposition to Plaintiff's Motion to Remand
Metro - Magistrate You's Findings and Recommendations - April 10, 2024
Multco - Magistrate You's Findings and Recommendations- April 10, 2024
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Roger W. “Yes, the scientists tell us we are at or near the Tipping
Point. To prepare for, and mitigate, and acclimate to a hotter world,
with more frequent and intense Heat Domes, wildfires and droughts. We
are going to need to weatherize, weatherproof, install Air Conditioners,
and air filters, and retrofit the way we live, work and play to survive
a hotter climate.”
"We are confident that once we show what the fossil fuel companies
knew about global warming and when and what they did to deny, delay and
deceive the public, the jury will not let the fossil fuel companies get
away with their reckless misconduct."
"The heat dome that cost so much life and loss was not a natural weather
event. It did not just happen because life can be cruel, nor can it be
rationalized as simply a mystery of God's will." J. Simon
Multnomah County sues oil companies over 2021 Heat Dome disaster press
conference
"This lawsuit is about accountability and fairness, and I believe
the people of Multnomah County deserve both. These businesses knew their
products were unsafe and harmful, and they lied about it,"
V. Pederson
Chair of the Board of Commissioners Jessica Vega Pederson leads the bridge walk.
"We will show that fossil fuel-induced global warming is already costing
Oregonians lives and treasure. We will show that the normal use of fossil
fuel products over time has imposed massive external, unpriced and untraded
social, economic and environmental costs on the County."
R. Worthington
Vega Pederson and Roger Worthington
We don't want a payoff. We want to get paid back.
Big Oil Lied.
People Died.
_______________________________
PROF. WILLIAM RIPPLE, OSU
As of 2022, Burning Fossil Fuels Accounts for nearly 90% of CO2 Pollution
April 26, 2024
Read More
CONSUMER REPORTS
Climate Change Could Cost Each American Born Today $500,000
April 16, 2024
Read More
This report underscores the need and relevance of assessing the economic
costs of climate change in Oregon on a per household basis. We are working
on assembling a blue-ribbon panel of economists who will address this
critical question. This is the sort of scholarship that in our view should
find its way into the OCCRI 2025 report.
BBC
COP28: Five reasons for optimism on climate
December 7, 2023
Read More
One of the biggest climate suits in history is taking place in the US,
where Oregon's Multnomah County is making a $52bn damages claim against
a range of oil and gas producers for causing a massive heatwave back in 2021.
If they win this case, it will have huge legal and financial implications,
potentially leading to dozens more lawsuits against fossil fuel producers,
similar to the court struggles that big tobacco endured in the past.
NEW YORK TIMES
Judge Rules in Favor of Montana Youths in Landmark Climate Case. The court
found that young people have a constitutional right to a healthful environment
and that regulators must be allowed to consider climate impact.
August 14, 2023
Read More
CNN
Montana judge hands young plaintiffs significant victory in landmark climate trial
August 14, 2023
Read the Order Here
BLOOMBERG LAW
Montana Youth Win Historic Case on Harm From Climate Change
August 14, 2023
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GREENBIZ
Get ready for more ESG lawsuits
August 2, 2023
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PEOPLES WORLD
Senators demand Justice Dept. probe oil giants for global warming cover-up
August 1, 2023
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SLATE
Can We Sue Our Way Out of the Climate Crisis
July 30, 2023
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KGW8
Multnomah County is suing fossil fuel companies for $50B. Here's the
county's argument
July 19, 2023
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OREGONIAN
Readers respond: Multnomah County's courageous climate lawsuit.
June 30, 2023
Read More
MOTHER JONES
Oregon's Multnomah County Sues Big Oil for a Devastating 2021 Heat Wave
June 25, 2023
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NEW YORK TIMES
Oregon County Sues Fossil Fuel Companies Over 2021 Heat Dome
June 22, 2023
Read More
RUETERS
US climate change lawsuit seeks $50 billion, citing 2021 heat wave
June 22, 2023
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THE GUARDIAN
Oregon county sues big oil over 2021 heatwave that killed dozens of people
June 22, 2023
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BLOOMBERG
Oil Giants Sued Over Climate Change Deception in Oregon
June 22, 2023
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NBC NEWS
Oregon county sues fossil fuel companies, alleging they caused deadly 2021
heat wave in Northwest
June 22, 2023
Read More
CNBC NEWS
Oregon county sues oil, gas companies including Exxon, Shell, Chevron for
deadly 2021 Pacific Northwest heat dome
June 22, 2023
Read More
UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS
Science Group Applauds New Climate Accountability Lawsuit by Oregon's
Most Populous County
June 22, 2023
Read More
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL (UPI)
Oregon county sues fossil fuel companies over 2021 heat wave
June 22, 2023
Read More
DESMOG
Oregon County Sues Fossil Fuel Entities and Enablers for Contributing to
Deadly 2021 Heatwave
June 22, 2023
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OREGONIAN
Multnomah County sues big oil, coal companies for $51 billion over deadly heat dome
June 22, 2023
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BARRON’S
US County Sues Oil Companies For $51 Bn Over 'Heat Dome' Disaster
Read More
KOIN NEWS
Multnomah County goes after big oil for heat dome deaths, files lawsuit
June 22, 2023
Read More
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN
2021 heat dome prompts $50B lawsuit against fossil fuel companies
June 22, 2023
Read More
KPTV NEWS
Multnomah County sues oil companies for billions over deadly 2021 heat dome
June 22, 2023
Read More
OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Multnomah County sues fossil fuel companies for nearly $52 billion over heat dome
June 22, 2023
Read More
OIL PRICE
Oregon County Sues Big Oil For Heat Wave
June 22, 2023
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KGW8 NEWS
Multnomah County sues fossil fuel companies, citing deadly 2021 heat dome
June 22, 2023
Read More
KATU2 NEWS
Multnomah County sues fossil fuel companies for 2021 heat dome deaths, damages
June 22, 2023
Read More
THE GRIST
The Pacific Northwest’s deadly 2021 heat wave fuels a new lawsuit
against Big Oil
June 22, 2023
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PORTLAND MERCURY
Multnomah County to Sue Big Oil for Billions for Their Role In Deadly Heat
Dome Event
June 22, 2023
Read More
KWCH NEWS
Multnomah County sues oil companies for billions over deadly 2021 heat dome
June 22, 2023
Read More
THE ENERGY MIX
BREAKING: Fossil Companies Face $50B Lawsuit Over 2021 Heat Dome Deaths
June 22, 2023
Read More
COMMON DREAMS
Oregon County Sues Big Oil and 'Misinformation Agents' Over Deadly
2021 Heatwave
June 22, 2023
Read More