Oregon County Sues NW Natural for Climate Deception

Multnomah County in Oregon has added NW Natural, the state's largest gas utility, as a defendant in its climate accountability lawsuit, marking the first instance of a utility facing such allegations in the U.S. The lawsuit claims that NW Natural misled the public about the safety and environmental impact of its products, particularly in connection with the 2021 heat dome that resulted in 69 deaths in the county. The case seeks over $50 billion in damages for climate adaptation and health impacts associated with climate change, asserting that the utility has engaged in disinformation campaigns regarding its contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. Experts note that this lawsuit could pave the way for increased accountability for gas utilities in climate-related legal actions. NW Natural has been accused of promoting misleading advertisements while contributing significantly to Oregon's carbon emissions, despite claims of pursuing a carbon-neutral future. The ongoing case reflects a growing trend of municipalities and states holding fossil fuel companies accountable for climate change impacts.