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Judge Dismisses City of Charleston Lawsuit Against Major Oil Companies

CHARLESTON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA, AUG 7 – Judge Roger Young ruled that state courts lack authority over climate litigation, aligning Charleston's case with a national pattern of dismissals favoring federal jurisdiction.

  • Judge Roger Young of South Carolina dismissed the City of Charleston's 2020 lawsuit against two dozen oil companies on August 6 in state court.
  • The suit alleged oil companies knowingly misled the public about climate risks, causing increased flooding and sought adaptation damages, but state law was ruled inapplicable.
  • Young cited a 2021 federal precedent, stating climate change litigation belongs in federal courts and rejecting the notion that companies had a duty to warn given widespread knowledge of emissions harms.
  • Young warned the lawsuit would trigger endless litigation involving any contributors to emissions, including Charleston itself, and barred the suit with prejudice, preventing refiling.
  • The dismissal aligns with other state court rulings rejecting similar claims and leaves ongoing legal challenges elsewhere, highlighting tensions over addressing climate impacts through the judiciary.
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Energy advocates hail judge's dismissal of Charleston climate lawsuit

(The Center Square) – A South Carolina judge has dismissed a climate change lawsuit brought by the city of Charleston against two dozen oil and gas companies.

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Charleston City Paper broke the news in on Thursday, August 7, 2025.
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