Delaware Valley Daily Report:
Judge calls for “sneaking” specialists in litigation against oil companies
Are Bucks County Democrats trying to sneakily target county voters’ major oil companies?
It was the attorney’s allegation, but Bucks County Judge Stephen A. Corr at a hearing Monday.
https://delawarevalleyjournal.com/category/energy/
If you think climate litigation doesn’t get more irony, let Bucks County prove you wrong. In a political drama work that can only be described as disguised as legal action, the lawsuits of the Democratic-controlled Bucks County Commission make their own lawsuits the same, which is invisible, spectacular, and strategic ignorance.
The wonder began in March 2024, with Democratic Commissioners Diane Ellis-Marseglia and Bob Harvie flanking Gene Digirolamo with token Republicans (they quickly backed off like a man who smelled a mile away). They announced a lawsuit against BP, Chevron, Conocophillips, Exxonmobil, Shell and American Petroleum Institute, accusing them of violating local nuisance laws and doing so to adequately warn Bucks County residents about the dangers of climate change.
Yes, because nothing screams “legal clarity” like trying to use lead-free gallons like secondhand smoke.
Cherries on top? These climate crusaders attempt to embed their litigation mandates by embedding the vague term “environmental litigation” into the January 2024 consent agenda, thus bringing the whole thing beyond the public. The magic on this program is so blatant that even Judge Stephen Corr has little innate a kind of flaming magic. Corr didn't say sarcastically: “You have to be kidding me,” he snapped up from a county attorney. He then summed up the Commissioner's actions, “doing this with slight slightest.”
But wait – it will get better.
Chevron attorney Frederick Santarelli called the maneuver “undemocratic” and slammed the commissioner for violating Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law. Corr, who actually used to sit on the school board and knew how transparency should work, seemed really shocked. “How can the public ask a clever question?” he asked. A fair view – has not been banned by the climate litigation crowd.
So, what is the purpose of this lawsuit? Oh, and fund public works projects like stormwater management and bridge repairs only by withdrawing cash from oil companies. That’s right – Bowks County believes it can pave the way through climate hysteria and Chevron’s legal settlements.
Chevron’s attorney Ted Boutrous did not back down either: “The lawsuit was dismissed in multiple federal and state courts across the country, including in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New Jersey, New York and California.” The precedent is clear: This political performing art does not belong to county courts. As Boutrous correctly points out, “These claims are based on interstate and international emissions, so federal law excludes and preempts federal law in the case of a clear U.S. Supreme Court precedent.”
Translation: It's more than just bad policy. This is legally incoherent.
Naturally, the Bucks County legal team is harder than the turbines at the wind farm. County attorney Dan Flynn claims the oil company has conducted a “false information” campaign because apparently no one knows that cars are running in gas in 2024 unless Big Oil illuminates it in the Sky Writing. Judge Corr did not buy it. He pointed out: “Where am I? I drive to burn gas.” Flynn responded with a clever Dodge: “The court did not tell everyone to burn gas. The defendant is.”
In court, this is the reason for the fascinating legal arguments of 2025.
As for the real world (where adults live), the judge reminds everyone that “we are talking about emissions from all over the world.” It's obvious that hearing it recurs, but obviously not obvious enough for the commissioner who thinks Shell owes them new rainwater.
The entire political opportunism of the tragic defeat was overshadowed by legal terms. Bucks County is not trying to stop climate change, they are pursuing spending. They do it with all the moral elegance of Vegas Conman.
Let’s review: A nonprofit for climate activist (Center for Climate Integrity) coordinated with Bucks officials via email before the lawsuit. The lawsuit itself is hidden behind the “environmental litigation” in the consent agenda. The Commissioner talks about “transparency” in a clear avoidance of this situation. Their legal strategies have been tried and laughed in court – six states.
The Crusades in Bucks County are the epitome of the wider climate litigation absurdity: legally bankrupt, morally suspicious and politically motivated. This is not governance. This is the Green Theater – poor performance and review.
Hopefully, Judge Corr's written ruling will provide the final curtain. It's better to have laughter.
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