A judge paused litigation by California state and local governments seeking to recoup climate damages from the oil and gas industry Tuesday as the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the companies’ bid to quash similar lawsuits.
What happened: Judge Ethan Schulman of the San Francisco Superior Court sided with the oil and gas industry, finding that a pause would promote judicial efficiency and avoid duplicative litigation. He noted in his order that the Supreme Court’s ruling could resolve or significantly narrow the cases.
The lawsuits, including one brought by Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) and others brought by counties and cities throughout California, target major oil companies including Exxon, Chevron, BP and Shell, along with the industry’s main trade group, the American Petroleum Institute. They charge the industry with violating various state laws and misleading consumers about the dangers of burning fossil fuels, and seek monetary compensation.
Why this matters: The stay represents a further delay in proceedings and a setback for the California communities seeking compensation for dealing with the costs of climate change. It’s a win for the industry, which has sought to dismiss the cases, warning the lawsuits could cost them billions of dollars.
