by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marks the latest loss for the oil industry, which has argued in similar suits across the country the federal court system is the appropriate place to address whether the companies should pitch in on the bill for infrastructure projects to help fortify cities and states against the impacts of climate change.
The lawsuits claim 19 oil companies and the American Petroleum Institute, the country's biggest oil and gas lobby group, knowingly contributed to the damaging effects of climate change and misled the public about the risks. BP America Inc declined to comment. Spokespeople for other oil companies sued including Exxon Mobil Corp and Shell PLC didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday.with four other appellate courts that have already rejected arguments made by the oil companies that the cases are governed by or preempted by federal law. The oil companies in June appealed a 10th Circuit ruling, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on the issue.