POLITICS: Maryland Supreme Court tosses Blue cities’ climate lawsuits against energy companies – USSA News

The Maryland Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed three lawsuits filed by Democrat-run jurisdictions claiming oil and gas companies concealed information about their products’ contributions to climate change, leading to significant costs.

In the 3-2 decision, Justice Brynja Booth wrote for the majority that the cities of Baltimore and Annapolis and Anne Arundel County improperly tried to use state and local nuisance laws to financially punish defendants such as BP, ExxonMobil and Chevron when climate change and its causes are an international issue that cross local, state and international borders.

“Quite simply, the notion that a local government such as Baltimore, Annapolis, or Anne Arundel County may pursue state law nuisance claims against the Defendants – seeking injunctive relief to abate injuries arising from global greenhouse effects arising from worldwide conduct – is so far afield from any area of traditional state or local responsibility that it cannot be seriously contemplated,” Booth wrote.

Attorneys for the oil companies said during oral arguments in October that federal agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency are responsible for regulating emissions across the country, rather than state and local governments. He said the EPA has a process for scientists to give their views on proposed rule changes like warning labels.

Several other Democrat-run state and local governments – including Hawaii, California, Minnesota, Colorado, Boulder, San Francisco and New York – have also sued fossil fuel companies over the same issue.