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Delegate Ruth proposes climate change restitution fund and authorizes AG to sue fossil-fuel companies
Summary
Delegate Sheila Ruth asked lawmakers to give the attorney general authority to sue fossil-fuel companies and to create a climate restitution fund that would receive any judgments or settlements and pay for climate mitigation in Maryland.
Delegate Sheila Ruth opened her testimony on House Bill 340 by citing historical internal industry reports and arguing companies knew decades ago that fossil-fuel combustion would cause climate harm. "The oil and gas and coal companies knew 50 years ago and warned what would happen," she said, and proposed a bill to authorize the attorney general to sue large multinational companies "whose actions contributed to the effects that we're seeing now," with reasonable limits to "protect small businesses."
Supporters testified at length. Jamie DeMarco of Chesapeake Climate Action Network described mounting fiscal costs…
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