Annapolis Sues Gas Companies, Seeks Damages For Climate Change

Annapolis MD

24 February, 2021

5:31 PM

Description

ANNAPOLIS, MD —The City of Annapolis filed a lawsuit against dozens of fossil fuel companies on Monday, Mayor Gavin Buckley announced in a Tuesday press release. The suit hopes to hold Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell, the American Petroleum Institute and more than 20 other gasoline companies accountable for the effects of climate change. The case alleges that the businesses knew about the risks of greenhouse gasses but didn't do anything to solve the problem. Specifically, the filing accuses the corporations of: Public nuisancePrivate nuisanceNegligenceFailure to warnTrespassViolations of Maryland's Consumer Protection Act "Fossil fuel companies knew the danger, concealed their knowledge, and reaped the profits," Buckley said in the release. "It is time we held them accountable." Climate change poses current and looming threats to the city, the lawsuit claims. Some of the direct impacts named are: Flooding and loss of city propertyFlooding of historic properties, private properties and businessesLoss of tax revenue from flooded areasDestruction of city infrastructure Increased costs of maintaining infrastructureIncreased costs of planning and preparing to adapt to the effects of climate change As a sea-level city, Annapolis has already felt the effects of climate destabilization. The release indicated that City Dock flooded 65 times in 2019. By 2040, the write-up predicted that the city could experience 350 flood days each year. "This lawsuit is all about accountability and determining who should pay the high costs of dealing with climate change," Buckley added. "Annapolis residents and businesses pay the price for the damage inflicted on our infrastructure due to increased flooding caused by sea level rise." The suit is filed in the Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County. Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts. Have a story idea? Please contact me at [email protected] with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.