FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2023
Contact: Michael Blenner, michael.blenner@sierraclub.org
Sierra Club California Responds to the State’s Lawsuit Against Big Oil
Sacramento, CA - Yesterday, California Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed a lawsuit in state superior court against five of the world's largest oil companies and an industry trade group for allegedly engaging in a decades-long campaign of deception. The lawsuit claims that these big oil groups have misled the public about the effects of burning fossil fuels, and have directly contributed to statewide climate change-related harms in California.
The state is “seeking nuisance abatement through the creation of a fund to finance climate mitigation and adaptation efforts; injunctive relief to both protect California’s natural resources from pollution, impairment, and destruction as well as to prevent the companies from making any further false or misleading statements about the contribution of fossil fuel combustion to climate change; damages; and penalties.”
In response, Brandon Dawson, Sierra Club California Director, issued the following statement
“Holding Big Oil accountable for their decades-long deception is necessary and crucial to protect California communities from the effects of the climate crisis. By bringing this lawsuit, Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta are cementing California as a leader in the fight against climate change and Sierra Club California applauds these efforts. We look forward to working with the Governor to ensure that key climate bills that were passed this legislative session, specifically Senate Bills 253 and 261, and Assembly Bill 1167, are signed into law and build on the momentum of this moment.”
Sierra Club California is the legislative and regulatory arm of Sierra Club’s 13 local chapters in California, representing half a million members and supporters.