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US States Sue Power Companies Over Greenhouse Gas Emissions

21 July 2004

The Climate Justice Programme [1] today welcomed the legal action launched today by eight US States and New York City seeking an injunction against the production of greenhouse gases by named power companies [2].

In a statement, Peter Roderick, Director of the Climate Justice Programme, said:

"This is a historic moment - the world's first legal action to stop greenhouse gas emissions. The companies being sued are amongst the biggest emitters and they know full well that every tonne of carbon dioxide they emit increases the risk of serious damage. Until huge cuts in greenhouse gas emissions are made, the world will see more of this kind of legal action and the US States and New York City are to be congratulated for leading the way."

Notes

[1] The Climate Justice Programme (www.climatelaw.org) is an initiative hosted by Friends of the Earth International. It aims to encourage and support the enforcement of the law internationally to combat climate change in the run up to the start in 2005 of negotiations for further cuts in greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol. Over 70 organisations and lawyers are signatories to its Statement of Support, including Greenpeace, WWF and organisations based in developing countries.

[2] The attorneys general from California, Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, as well as New York City's corporation counsel, will file a public nuisance lawsuit today (Wednesday) in federal court in Manhattan, according to a draft news release, reported by AP. Named will be American Electric Power Co. (AEP), Southern Co. (SO), Xcel Energy (XEL), Cinergy (CIN) and the federal Tennessee Valley Authority.

Background on Climate change cases so far:

US cities, NGOs and citizens sue the US export credit bodies for failing to take climate change into account in their decisions to support fossil fuel projects:
US States, American Samoa, cities and NGOs challenge the failure of the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act:

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, et al., Petitioners v. Environmental Protection Agency, Respondent, and Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, et al., Intervenors, US Court of Appeals, DC Circuit, Case No. 03-1361 (consolidated with 03-1362, 03-1363, 03-1364, 03-1365, 03-1366, 03-1367 and 03-1368).

www.ago.state.ma.us/press_rel/202petition2.asp?searchStr=1

German NGOs sue the German Government for keeping secret the climate change effect of their export credit agency Hermes http://www.climatelaw.org/media/german.suit
The Inuit have announced their intention to sue the Bush Administration over climate change violations of their human rights: http://www.climatelaw.org/media/inuit

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust

Last modified: Jun 2008