US County Seeks Billions in Lawsuit Against Oil Companies Over 2021 Heat Wave and Deaths.

Multnomah County in Oregon has filed a lawsuit against major oil and coal companies, including Exxon and Chevron, and industry groups, seeking over $50 billion to counter the harms caused by extreme weather fueled by climate change. The county alleges that the companies and trade groups intentionally deceived the public about the dangers of burning their products for decades. The lawsuit seeks $50 million to repay the county for its past efforts to protect public health, safety and property from heat waves and wildfires, at least $1.5 billion for future damages and at least $50 billion for an abatement fund to help study and implement mitigation measures to reduce climate-related harms.