The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear Oil Companies appeal of a decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that tried to move the suit against them from state court to the federal court. The damage suit against Chevron USA, Exxon-Mobil Corp., Conoco-Phillips Co, BP America and Shell for coastal damages was filed by Plaquemines Parish.
It was noted in a New Orleans Advocate column of March 1 that the 5th Circuit's ruling adds to the expectation that the rulings will clear the way for 42 other lawsuits filed in Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, Vermillion and Cameron Parishes against a total of about 200 Oil and Gas Companies to begin being heard in state courts.
If and when these lawsuits take place in state courts they will have the ability to hear the evidence and hold those companies responsible for the damage done to the state's environment that our elected officials have failed to act on for the past 50 plus years. The evidence of the damage has been documented for years and is still ongoing. The Oil and Gas Industry and our elected officials time of denial is up and can no longer be accepted, especially when they try the excuse of how the industry supports Louisiana by paying taxes.
The con game must end in Louisiana's state courts so the reconstruction of the environment can start for it will be a long lasting process. A process that should have begun long, long ago if Louisiana's elected officials had the character and courage to do the right thing and if the Industry were good stewards of the environment.
The Supreme Court made the right decision. Now the State has to act and do its part in a responsible way.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
