CNN's Caroll Alvarado is reporting that California is sueing 5 major oil companies over fossil fuel emissions
California is suing major oil companies including BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and ConocoPhillips, along with the American Petroleum Institute, for allegedly deceiving the public about the risks associated with fossil fuel use.
The lawsuit, filed by the state's Attorney General Rob Bonta, claims that these companies have created a public nuisance, damaged natural resources and state property, and violated California law through misleading advertising and environmental marketing. The state alleges that these companies have known since at least the 1960s that burning fossil fuels contributes to climate change but downplayed these risks, leading to damaging consequences like wildfires, poor air quality, deadly heat waves, and droughts, costing the state billions of dollars.
California seeks to establish an abatement fund to address climate change consequences and future damages linked to fossil fuel use. The lawsuit also accuses these companies of falsely promoting their commitment to cleaner energy while continuing to promote fossil fuels.
The oil companies argue that climate policy should be addressed by Congress, not through litigation.
Source: CNN
(This article was written with assistance from ChatGPT)
https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/16/us/california-lawsuit-oil-companies/index.html
