SACRAMENTO — A multistate coalition has filed an amicus brief to support several California counties in their lawsuit against Chevron Corporation, which argues local governments should have the right to hold coal companies accountable for actions that lead to climate change.
In its brief relating to County of San Mateo et al.v. Chevron Corporation, which currently is pending in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the coalition argues that local governments should have the right to hold companies responsible for their contributions to global warming, which causes erosion, flooding, property damage and health risks to residents, according to the California Attorney General's Office.
“California communities have struggled, and will continue to struggle, with the high costs of managing the devastating effects of climate change,” said California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who is leading the coalition. “Our states and local governments have an important role in protecting the welfare of our residents by holding accountable companies which profit from fossil fuels that exacerbate the effects of global warming.”
The coalition includes California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington, according to Becerra's office.