Multnomah County in Oregon has filed a lawsuit against NW Natural, a natural gas company, alleging it misled customers about the environmental dangers of fossil fuels.
This is the first instance of a gas company facing a lawsuit for these kinds of actions. The suit also accuses Shell, Exxon, McKinsey, and other companies of conspiring to conceal their involvement in climate damage.
The county claims NW Natural and others promoted methane gas as safe, despite knowing its harm to the environment. Methane is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide in trapping heat. The lawsuit alleges this deception helped cause the deadly 2021 heat wave that killed at least 69 people in Multnomah County.
Experts Say Gas Companies Are Equally Culpable
Oil companies are often sued for their role in climate change, but gas companies haven’t. Experts say gas companies are equally responsible because methane, a main part of natural gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas.
NW Natural has denied the allegations, claiming that the county’s lawsuit is an attempt to divert attention from the legal and factual flaws in the case. However, the county’s allegations are supported by scientific evidence.
The Future of Climate Accountability
The lawsuit against NW Natural could have significant implications for the future of climate accountability. If the county is successful, it could set a precedent for other jurisdictions to hold gas companies accountable for their role in climate change.
As the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of climate change, it is increasingly important to hold corporations responsible for their actions. The lawsuit against NW Natural is a significant step in that direction.
Reference- New York Times reports, Center for Climate Integrity, Research Gate, BBc, The Guardian, Reuters