King County says oil companies need to start paying for the impacts of climate change, so it's suing Chevron, Exxon and other oil giants.
The county alleges the companies knowingly contributed to climate disruptions, and that they put King County residents at greater risk for floods, landslides, ocean acidification, and other impacts.
“The science is undisputable: climate change is impacting our region today, and it will only cause greater havoc and hardships in the future,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine in a released statement.
“The companies that profited the most from fossil fuels should help bear the costs of managing these disasters. Big Oil spent many decades disregarding and dismissing what is our most pressing generational challenge. We must hold these companies accountable as we marshal our resources to protect and preserve what makes this region great."
King County wants the oil companies to pay for adapting infrastructure, like storm-water management and other costs. Attorneys for the county say this could result in hundreds of millions of dollars.
KING 5 has reached out to an oil industry group for reaction. Lindsey de la Torre, executive director of the Manufacturers' Accountability Project (MAP), sent the following statement:
"Lawsuits targeting manufacturers do nothing to address climate change, but will do plenty to line the pockets of plaintiffs' attorneys — and in this case, the very same attorneys behind countless other public nuisance lawsuits throughout the country. As history has demonstrated, these lawsuits stand little chance in the courtroom.”
"While these plaintiffs' attorneys are working overtime to advance their own interests through the courts, manufacturers are working toward meaningful solutions and are reducing emissions."
Jurisdictions in California, New York and Colorado have filed similar lawsuits.
