September 2017
In announcing litigation against BP, Chevron, Exxon and Shell, San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera did not mince words: “The bill has come due. It’s time for these companies to take responsibility.” City officials said they expect to pay $500 million to fortify the 3-mile seawall along the Embarcadero to prevent roads, homes and businesses from being submerged. Long-term upgrades are projected to cost $5 billion. Reports show the city could pay as much as $350 million to safeguard the city’s sprawling sewer and storm-water system. All told, about $10 billion of public property and as much as $39 billion of private property are at risk.
- Analysis: California Communities, Big Oil Go to Court Over Future of Climate Lawsuits (2020) • Big Oil Loses Appeals in California Climate Lawsuits (2020) • Big Oil loses again: California climate lawsuits can proceed in state court (2020) • Exxon can’t depose California communities suing them, Texas Court of Appeals rules (2020) • Appeals Court denies Big Oil’s request for rehearing in California climate lawsuits (2020) • Supreme Court Denies Big Oil’s Request to Review California Climate Lawsuits (2021) • Texas Supreme Court Rejects Exxon’s Attempt to Intimidate California Communities Seeking Climate Accountability (2022) • San Francisco and Oakland move closer to putting Big Oil on trial (2023)