$3B LA lawsuit could ‘destroy’ gulf energy industry, critics warn, as state’s position questioned

U.S. energy interests warn that if the first of several expected lawsuits over decades of land loss — an issue widely acknowledged as a crisis — succeeds, it could threaten the future of American energy exploration.

Plaquemines Parish, a coastal jurisdiction south of New Orleans — which would be called a "county" in most other states — is seeking billions in damages from Chevron due to allegations surrounding the behavior of its now-subsidiary Texaco.

"Decades after Texaco ceased operations and was acquired by Chevron, the Parish and state have teamed up with private plaintiffs’ counsel to file dozens of lawsuits under a 1980 law that was never meant to apply to oil and gas activities that pre-dated the enactment of the statute," said Chevron spokesman Bill Turenne.

"The federal Fifth Circuit has already held that plaintiffs’ theories are without merit. The Parish and the State should cease their state court efforts to destroy the oil and gas sector Read Entire Article