Maine has filed a landmark lawsuit against major oil and gas companies, including Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Chevron, accusing them of a decades-long campaign to conceal the harmful effects of fossil fuels.
The state claims the companies knew about the detrimental consequences of fossil fuel use since the 1960s but chose profit over protecting the environment.
As a result, Maine has been grappling with extreme weather, sea-level rise, and rising temperatures.
The lawsuit, filed in Maine state court, includes seven allegations, including negligence, failure to warn, and unfair trade practices.
It also targets the American Petroleum Institute, accusing the group of aiding in the companies’ deceptive actions.
Maine Attorney General Aaron M. Frey argued that these corporations prioritized profits, leaving the state to bear the financial and environmental costs of their greed.
Gov. Janet Mills expressed that recent storms in Maine further prove the harm of climate change, impacting public health, safety, and the economy.
The state seeks a jury trial and funding to address past damage, along with funding for climate adaptation and resilience efforts. However, oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, have denied the claims.
The legal battle mirrors past cases against tobacco and opioid companies, focusing on corporate deception.They argue that Maine’s historic reliance on oil and natural gas is being overlooked, and they maintain that addressing climate change should involve smart policy, not litigation.
Despite these counterarguments, Maine is following in the footsteps of other states and local governments pursuing similar suits against fossil fuel companies.
While these lawsuits mirror past actions against tobacco and opioid manufacturers, they face significant legal hurdles, especially in higher courts.
Many of these cases are being moved to federal courts, where companies argue that interstate pollution regulation is a federal issue.