Vermont judge rejects oil companies' bid to dismiss climate case
Vermont's lawsuit against Exxon Mobil, Shell and Sunoco, accusing them of misleading consumers about fossil fuel-related climate risks, has survived an effort to dismiss it, though the case may stretch on for years.
Emma Cotton reports for VTDigger.
In short:
- Vermont’s lawsuit claims oil companies misled consumers about the climate impacts of fossil fuels.
- A judge rejected arguments from the companies about jurisdiction, free speech and time limits.
- Vermont also passed a law requiring oil companies to pay for local climate damage, prompting a separate legal challenge.
Key quote:
"They express that value in the purchases they make, and in this instance, they were deprived of knowing the truth about fossil fuel companies because the fossil fuel companies actively deprived them of the truth. And that’s what this case is about."
— Charity Clark, Vermont attorney general
Why this matters:
As extreme weather becomes more frequent, legal action against oil giants could shift accountability and funding for climate-related damages. Vermont has been a leader in such actions: Recent passage of the state's Climate Superfund Act, which is separate from the consumer protection lawsuit, sets a national precedent, drawing both support and legal challenges that could impact environmental policy nationwide.
Related: Supreme Court pressured by far-right groups to protect big oil
