Big Oil's Bill: Louisiana's Wetlands Demand Justice

In a significant legal move, a jury has ordered the oil giant Chevron to pay over 744 million dollars in damages. This ruling comes after years of legal battles over the destruction of Louisiana's coastal wetlands. The verdict is the result of one of 42 lawsuits filed around 12 years ago, all pointing fingers at oil and gas projects for the region's environmental degradation. The jury's decision highlights how Chevron's subsidiary, Texaco, broke state rules meant to protect coastal resources. The company's activities, including digging canals, drilling wells, and dumping wastewater, have been linked to the shrinking coastline. These wetlands are crucial for shielding the area from hurricanes, so their loss is a big deal. The verdict might push other companies to settle similar lawsuits. However, Chevron's lawyer, Mike Phillips, has announced plans to appeal the decision. He argues that the company is not to blame for the land loss in Plaquemines Parish. He also claims that the law in question does not apply to actions taken before it was enacted. Louisiana's coastal wetlands are in serious trouble. According to the US Geological Survey, they are among the most endangered environments in the country. From 1932 to 2016, coastal Louisiana lost about 4, 833 square kilometers of land, a decrease of roughly 25% of its original size. The canals built for oil and gas rigs have messed up the natural water flow, making the wetlands more vulnerable to storms. The lawsuit was filed by the community of Plaquemines Parish in 2013, seeking 2. 6 billion dollars in damages. The parish has 20 more pending cases against other oil companies. The jury awarded Plaquemines various compensations, including 575 million dollars for land loss, 161 million dollars for contamination, and 8. 6 million dollars for abandoned equipment. The state of Louisiana is not backing down. Jimmy Faircloth Jr, an attorney representing the state, told jurors that Chevron had essentially dismissed Plaquemines Parish as worthless. He emphasized the importance of the coast to the community and the state's determination to protect it. The state's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority warns that Louisiana could lose up to another 3, 000 square miles in the next 50 years. The verdict sends a clear message to oil companies operating in Louisiana. The state is serious about protecting its wetlands, and companies will be held accountable for their actions. This ruling could set a precedent for future cases, encouraging other communities to fight for their environmental rights.