Extreme weather caused by climate change may damage coastal infrastructure by degrading equipment containing hazardous chemicals or by flooding storage facilities. But fossil fuel companies like ExxonMobil and Shell would rather take their chances and do nothing to ready their facilities. CLF knows, however, that these companies have a legal duty (not to mention an ethical one) to adapt their facilities to the foreseeable effects of climate change.
Aug 2
2019
2019
Jun 4
2019
2019
Pay attention to the growing wave of climate change lawsuits
Meanwhile, a federal judge in Boston in March allowed a suit filed by the Conservation Law Foundation against Exxon to go forward. The suit alleges the company failed to protect an oil storage facility against the impacts of climate change.
Apr 19
2019
2019
Exxon Sued Over Climate Risks of Storage
And in the event of a catastrophic spill, yes, Exxon will bear some costs. But the public will also be bearing a heavy cost. The families and businesses that will have oil and toxics flowing through their basements and into their homes, they will be bearing a cost. The taxpayers of the region, who paid billions to clean up Boston harbor, which is now a jewel of economic and urban rebirth here in Boston, they will suffer a terrible cost.
Apr 11
2019
2019
Guest Post: Court Victory against ExxonMobil Gives Weight to Community Concerns
Roseann Bongiovanni is a lifelong Chelsea resident who has led significant environmental justice campaigns over more than 20 years. She is the Executive Director of GreenRoots, Inc., an organization dedicated to achieving environmental and climate justice for Chelsea and East Boston. CLF’s lawsuit against ExxonMobil passed a major milestone in March, which is a victory for…
Mar 30
2019
2019
Exxon suffers a big setback in climate-change case involving its Everett oil terminal
CLF’s lawsuit, among other things, accuses Exxon of failing to adequately protect the property from potential floods caused by storms and rising sea waters that could sweep pollutants off the site. The closely-watched lawsuit could have ripple effects that influence the broader oil industry and how it prepares for future storms.
Mar 13
2019
2019
Climate Change Lawsuit Against ExxonMobil Proceeds
“Exxon has put vulnerable communities and the harbor at risk as part of its pattern and practice of deceiving regulators and the public about the risks of climate change,” said CLF President Bradley Campbell. “Exxon has known about these risks and its ongoing spills for years and is failing its most important duty under the law: to avoid spills of oil and hazardous substances that threaten public health and the environment.”
Mar 13
2019
2019
Judge Declines ExxonMobil’s Motion To Dismiss Case Set To Put Climate Change And Corporate Responsibility On Trial
“ExxonMobil’s own scientists agree that those risks are imminent,” said Brad Campbell, president of CLF. “Exxon has done nothing to change its operations at this facility.”
Dec 21
2018
2018
Endangering Everett
Along the banks of the Mystic River lies a huge petroleum storage terminal. Belonging to corporate giant ExxonMobil, the Everett Terminal borders the Island End and Mystic rivers on one side – and family homes on the other. ExxonMobil is putting both at risk.
Putting ExxonMobil On Trial
ExxonMobil’s climate neglect puts local communities in danger.
Dec 12
2018
2018
The News about Our Climate Isn’t Good – But the Fight is Far from Over
Heat waves and flooding are putting New England’s people, environment, and economy at risk. Aging infrastructure is increasingly stressed from sea level rise and bigger storms. Our farmers face challenges from shifting growing seasons. Atlantic cod – already dwindling – will disappear and lobster will move out of reach of New England fishermen as waters warm.…