Oregon Adds NW Natural to Climate Lawsuit

Oregon's Multnomah County has expanded its $51.5 billion climate lawsuit to include NW Natural, the state's largest natural gas utility, accusing it of misleading customers about the dangers of burning fossil fuels. The lawsuit, initially filed against major oil companies like Exxon and Shell, alleges that NW Natural contributed to greenhouse gas emissions responsible for the devastating 2021 heat wave that resulted in approximately 800 deaths across the Pacific Northwest. Multnomah County seeks substantial damages to fund climate adaptation projects, highlighting the financial burdens imposed by climate-related disasters on local taxpayers. Legal experts suggest this case could set a precedent similar to the landmark tobacco litigation of the 1990s. NW Natural has stated it will contest the claims vigorously, maintaining that they distract from the core legal issues. This case represents a growing trend of holding energy companies accountable for their role in climate change, with over two dozen similar lawsuits currently filed across the U.S.