Dismissal of Puerto Rico Climate Lawsuit Is Based on Timing, Not on the Merits
Decision casts no doubt on merits of racketeering case against Big Oil
WASHINGTON — A judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico yesterday dismissed a racketeering lawsuit filed in 2022 by more than 30 Puerto Rican municipalities seeking compensation from oil companies related to the 2017 hurricane season that killed thousands of people. The court held that the case was barred by the statute of limitations. In response, Aaron Regunberg, director of Public Citizen’s Climate Accountability Project, said:
“It is unfortunate that the victims of Hurricane Maria will not see justice in this case from the Big Oil companies whose reckless and deceptive conduct drove climate change and the resulting disasters. But this suit was dismissed based on the judge’s determination that the lawsuit was filed outside of the statute of limitations—the decision did not touch on the merits of the legal claims. There is overwhelming evidence that Big Oil companies deceived the public about the catastrophic effects of their fossil fuel products. We expect cases brought in a timely manner to proceed—and to hold Big Oil accountable.”
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