Janice R. Andrews
Multnomah County, Oregon, which includes Portland, has broadened its $51.5 billion climate lawsuit by adding NW Natural, the state’s primary natural gas provider, as a defendant. The suit, initially targeting major oil companies like ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell, now holds these entities responsible for their alleged role in the deadly 2021 heat dome event that claimed around 800 lives across the Pacific Northwest.
The unprecedented heat wave in 2021 saw temperatures in Portland reach 116°F, causing numerous heat-related deaths and widespread damage. Multnomah County argues that carbon emissions from fossil fuel companies, including NW Natural, directly contributed to this disaster.
NW Natural, serving about 2 million people in the region, is accused of significantly contributing to Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions and misleading the public about the associated risks. The company plans to contest the claims vigorously.
This case marks the first time a gas utility has been included in a climate deception lawsuit. The county also added the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, known for disputing human-caused global warming, as a defendant.
Seeking $51.5 billion in damages, Multnomah County aims to cover long-term costs of climate-related disasters. County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson emphasized the urgent need for funds to build resilience against worsening climate impacts.
The fossil fuel companies named in the original complaint have denied responsibility, with some arguing that the courtroom is not the appropriate venue for addressing climate change.
As the case proceeds in Multnomah County Circuit Court, it could set a significant precedent for how governments hold energy companies accountable for climate-related disasters, potentially influencing the global push for corporate responsibility in climate action.
