In a hearing last month, the federal judge presiding over one of the climate liability lawsuits against energy companies in California poked more holes in the cities’ arguments, expressing skepticism over their narrative that fossil fuels are a “public nuisance,” instead acknowledging that fossil fuels are a public necessity.

Specifically, the judge challenged the cities on their assertion that fossil fuel production amounted to a public nuisance – reminding the plaintiffs that everyone relies on fossil fuels in everyday life.

“We need to weigh in the large benefits that have flowed from the use of fossil fuels,” Judge William Alsup said. “There have been huge benefits.”

What kind of benefits? Continue reading at EID Climate.