Chevron Going Down
On April 4th, 2025 a Louisiana jury had found Chevron to pay a parish government of $745 million to help restore wetlands, the jury came to this conclusion, because they had believed that the energy company had been harming these wetlands for decades. This lawsuit was filed by Plaquemines Parish, which is one of at least 40 parishes that have filed against fossil fuel companies since 2013. A company that Chevron bought, Texaco had violated state law for decades by failing to apply for coastal permits, and by not removing oil and gas equipment when it stopped using an oil field. Even though the verdict has gone through in the parish's favor, Chevron is going to be looking to appeal the verdict, because they said, "Chevron is not the cause of the land loss occurring in Breton Sound".
A state regulation would require companies operating in wetlands to restore "as near as practicable to their original condition", which means any water ways they had destroyed or damaged should go back to being able to go back to being used after getting dredged.
Since the gas companies were taking advantage of their land, the state of Louisiana has lost over 2,000 square miles, which is about the size of Delaware, the parish had been reduced by nearly half its size. The oil and gas companies had destroyed marsh vegetation, and enacted a 50 year, $50billion coastal master plan to try to save the Gulf of Mexico. All of this time and money will be going into rebuilding marshes, adding floodgates, and create tens of thousands of acres of new land against hurricanes and sea level rise.
How Will Lousiana Comabt Climate Change
Since Louisiana is the most flood-prone state in the US, and have massive flood risks it is only getting worse as the climate has been changing. With their $50 billion, 50-year coastal restoration and flood risk reduction plan, they are going to be be losing land and in some communities, conditions are likely to get worse. Some of these people will need to migrate to other places within the next 50 years, but the construction of levees, pumps, and floodgates will help mitigate damage. With the plan they will aim to rebuild wetlands by channeling Mississippi River sediment, which would mimic the natural processes, as-well as recreating marshes in their aquatic ecosystems, and work to rebuild the barrier islands as a first line of defense against storms and sea level rise. They are also planning on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and is also focusing on improving energy efficiency to reduce energy demand and emissions. Even though the state of Louisiana usually sides with the oil and gas companies they are willing to make life long changes to help protect the environment.
This makes me so happy. For too long, it has seemed that oil companies and big businesses just get to float above the law and get away with damaging the planet. It's very relieving to hear they are finally having to pay for their choices. Its about time we hold these companies responsible for their actions and pollution.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me feel hopeful to see Chevron being held accountable for the damages that they have caused, With any luck we will see more oil companies face the consequences for their harm to the environment.
ReplyDeleteIt’s good to see Chevron being held responsible after so much damage. I didn’t realize how much land Louisiana had lost that really shocked me. I like how you explained their long-term plan too. It gives some hope that they’re finally taking action, even if it took a long time.
ReplyDeleteI cannot say I was not slightly overjoyed to hear they are getting their karma. There are so many people living in Louisiana that are poor and will not be able to relocate without government assistance but they probably will not even get that. I think al oil companies should be held accountable for their actions.
ReplyDeleteI’m not gonna lie this is amazing. Companies like this are destroying our planet, it kind of reminds me of the last book we read and how they were hiding things and not taking accountability. Saying that they didn’t cause the destruction and the land loss is unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteI also wanna say that we are at a time where all oil companies deserve to pay for what they have done. We have barely any time left to fix this climate issue, especially if we keep going down the route we’re going.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see some real consequences emerging. Coastal land loss is a serious issue, especially because legislatures continue to permit builders to move families to dangerous lines where flooding and weather disasters happen all of the time just for profit. We all need to understand the realities so we can keep each other safe, that means no more lying from big companies who keep people in the dark just to keep making money.
ReplyDeleteI wish them luck with the continued suit, even following the attempted appeal. We need a win against oil companies and one starts the path for many more to follow.
ReplyDeleteIt's honestly about time oil companies are held accountable for the damage they've done. This Chevron case feels like a big step in the right direction.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the circumstances are unfortunate, it is heartening to see oil companies being reprimanded for the severe damage they cause; even if it is a small victory, it is a victory nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteWetlands are extreme important as they act like the kidneys of the earth with them purifying polluted water. It is essential that we protect these ecosystem and not let oil companies get away when they damage them.
ReplyDeleteThis is such refreshing news! If this lawsuit can be successful even in a historically red state, I have hope that this will open more doors for lawsuits against polluting company's.
ReplyDeleteREVENGE!!!!!!!! You got to love it, my favorite part was them making the big companies to restore the wetlands to "near original condition" It will take some work but good on that state regulation
ReplyDeleteWould have been much more conducive to have held such big companies accountable beforehand, but it's better late than never, right? In the future, we should strive to put up safeguards and regulations so this kind of damage can be mitigated or prevented outright. After all, it's much costlier to go back and fix the damage as opposed to preventing it in the first place. Then again, prevention is also pricey and it seems that companies tend to bank on the assumption that they won't get held accountable. So let's keep on changing that assumption!
ReplyDeleteI never realized that Louisiana was the most flood-prone state. I can't imagine how much worse flooding is going to get in that area in coming years.
ReplyDeleteLouisiana’s landmark lawsuit victory against Chevron marks a turning point in holding fossil fuel companies accountable, as the state begins ambitious efforts to restore its coastlines and combat climate change.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe they are still trying to combat this! I am happy they lost; it finally says something to other companies and the U.S. that this is important. I hope that Louisiana stays afloat and can find some way to come back.
ReplyDeleteFinally, something good happens for our planet. Now we need to keep this momentum and do more!
ReplyDeleteWhat a monstrous way the natural habitat has been treated!
ReplyDeleteFinding out that the amount of land Louisiana lost was the about the size of Delaware really puts into perspective how much damage is actually being done by these companies. Hopefully more companies get held accountable for the horrific things they are doing to our environment.
ReplyDeleteThis is really great news! I hope this actually happens.
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