Maryland judge tosses lawsuit against oil industry, keeping climate policy out of the courtroom

After over five years of legal argument and debate, the Baltimore City Circuit Court threw out a 2018 lawsuit against the oil industry that alleged BP and other oil producers owe the city millions of dollars for disasters caused by climate change. Judge Videtta Brown described the plaintiffs’ case as seeking damages for the “cumulative impact” of emissions created around the world by many different actors. She ruled that finding the oil industry liable would go far beyond the scope of state law.

Like numerous similar decisions striking down city or state lawsuits against oil companies, this latest ruling is yet another affirmation that addressing climate change should be a collaborative process between policymakers, oil companies, and consumers, rather than an authoritative mandate by courts. Cases like this one tend to only benefit special interests and attorneys seeking big payday settlements, distracting the American people from seeking common sense climate solutions by creating a boogeyman out of the oil industry.

Truthfully, oil companies are one of the foremost leaders in finding solutions to the climate crisis. In addition to constantly improving energy technology to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in the production process, they’ve also heavily invested in researching substitute fuels and alternative energy sources. These sorts of investments are vital to addressing rising climate concerns while also providing Americans with affordable and reliable energy.

Judge Brown’s decision also further highlights the need for the Supreme Court to hear the Honolulu case. In that appeal, the oil industry is asking the Court to strike down the Hawaii Supreme Court’s decision preserving local suits against oil companies. Advocates hope the Court will establish a uniform federal rule that will prevent cities and states from bringing these cases against the industry in the first place.

Climate change is a genuine concern for many Americans but seeking judicial redress from oil companies for “causing” it is both legally unsound and outright illogical. Instead, Americans should be working together to find efficient and practical solutions to reducing emissions.