Bucks County lawsuit against fossil fuel companies over severe weather events is dismissed.

A recent ruling by a state judge has dismissed a notable lawsuit filed by Bucks County, which accused 14 fossil fuel companies and a prominent trade organization of misleading the public regarding their contributions to climate change. The lawsuit claimed that these entities had a hand in causing severe weather events that have had catastrophic impacts on the county.

Judge Stephen Corr, presiding over the Bucks County Court, determined that the lawsuit is preempted by federal law, thereby ruling it inadmissible in state court. The decision reflects a trend among courts nationwide to treat similar claims with skepticism. In his assessment, Judge Corr stated that the court joins a “growing chorus” of legal decisions affirming the non-justiciability of such claims in state courts across Pennsylvania.

In response to the ruling, Bucks County spokesperson James O’Malley reiterated the contention that not all state courts agree with the preemption decision regarding climate-related lawsuits. He announced the county’s intention to appeal the dismissal to the Commonwealth Court, aiming for a reconsideration of its claims against the fossil fuel industry.

Representatives from the fossil fuel sector welcomed the ruling, insisting that the courtroom is not the appropriate venue for addressing climate change issues. A spokesperson for Shell articulated satisfaction with Judge Corr’s decision, while an ExxonMobil representative emphasized the complexities of the matter, suggesting it is better suited for federal court adjudication.

The legal battle initiated by Bucks County involved a comprehensive 172-page complaint filed in March 2024, inspired by similar lawsuits from other states and local governments, including New Jersey. The lawsuit targeted a range of fossil fuel companies, including Chevron, BP, and ConocoPhillips, alleging that they orchestrated a climate deception campaign that accelerated global warming and caused extensive economic and environmental damage.

The lawsuit referenced incidents such as the devastating flooding in Bucks County in July 2023, which tragically resulted in at least seven fatalities. During the announcement of the lawsuit, Commissioner Gene DiGirolamo expressed strong sentiments about the fossil fuel industry’s knowledge of its harmful practices since the 1950s, condemning the companies for failing to raise alarms or amend their operational strategies.

While Judge Corr acknowledged the validity of the county’s concerns regarding climate change, he emphasized that the underlying issue was related to emissions rather than disinformation campaigns by the fossil fuel companies. He pointed out that the allegations stem from a global phenomenon tied to greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the complexity of addressing such vast and intricate problems at a local level. The judge also dismissed claims that Bucks County violated transparency laws during the lawsuit’s approval process, although he noted that procedural issues were present in the manner in which the external law firm was engaged.

As the appeal moves forward, the implications of this case may extend beyond Bucks County, contributing to an ongoing national dialogue about corporate accountability, environmental justice, and the role of state versus federal jurisdiction in climate litigation.

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