This coverage is made possible through a partnership with Grist and Interlochen Public Radio of Northern Michigan.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday that she plans to sue fossil fuel companies for intentionally contributing to climate change and harming the state's economy and way of life.
“It is long past time for us to step up and hold the fossil fuel companies responsible for all of these damages,” she said.
The lawsuit brings the state of Michigan into the fold. Dozens of local, tribal, and state governments have took similar measures Trying to make industry pay for climate damage.
Nessel said the lawsuit is an effort to recoup some of what Michigan has lost due to climate change, including severe weather events, risks to agriculture and last winter's shortened ski season and canceled sled dog races. It pointed out.
What the department is looking for is Outside counsel submits proposal for assistance The lawsuit could potentially award the state billions of dollars to address the damage caused by climate change, Nessel said. Lawyers and law firms can submit proposals until June 5th.
„Cases like this are exhaustive in nature,“ she told Interlochen Public Radio. „You're going after Big Oil, so you need some support in terms of additional lawyers and support staff.“
investigation From 2015 Inside Climate News And that Los Angeles Times It showed that companies like Exxon knew the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions for decades, but minimized the threat.
Last month, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee referred to that report and said: Original research spanning approximately 3 years „A rare glimpse into the widespread efforts of fossil fuel companies to mislead the public and investors about their products' climate impact and undermine efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.'' This is a case in point.
For example, newly revealed documents prior to recent Congressional hearings showed that: BP executives knew about natural gas was promoted as a “bridge” fuel to replace coal, which contributed significantly to climate change.
Asked about Michigan's lawsuit plans, Ryan Myers, senior vice president and general counsel for the American Petroleum Institute, said in an emailed statement that it „has implications for America's basic industry and its industries. „This is part of an ongoing, coordinated campaign to file politicized lawsuits against the government.“ Worker. Myers added that climate policy should be dealt with in Congress, not in the courts.
The Attorney General's Office is working with state officials to assess the impacts of climate change in Michigan.
Nessel said the state has pursued similar legal efforts in the past with success. opioid industry and the chemical manufacturers that produce it PFAS.