|By: Carl Surran, SA News Editor
A federal judge yesterday said he needed more information before deciding whether to dismiss lawsuits by the cities of San Francisco and Oakland alleging that Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM), Chevron (NYSE:CVX), Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A, RDS.B), BP and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) should pay to protect residents from the impacts of climate change.
The judge also wants the companies to produce additional material backing up claims that they should not be a part of the case because the court lacked jurisdiction over them.
The judge cited the beneficial role oil and gas production had played in the development of the U.S. but also said he remained open to the idea that some damages may have to be paid considering the potential harm of climate change.
