The judge's decision can be read here.
The case, filed in August 2002 by Friends of the Earth,
Greenpeace, and four cities, charges that the Export-Import Bank
(Ex-Im) and the Oversees Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) have
provided financial assistance to oil and other fossil fuel projects
without first evaluating the projects' global warming impacts to
the United States. The cities of Oakland, Arcata and Santa Monica,
Calif. and Boulder, Colo. are parties to the suit.
The judge concluded that the plaintiffs' "evidence is sufficient
to demonstrate it is reasonably probable that emissions from
projects supported by OPIC and Ex-Im . . . will threaten
Plaintiffs' concrete interests."
The judge also highlighted evidence demonstrating that:
"projects supported by OPIC and Ex-Im are directly or indirectly
responsible for approximately 1,911 million tonnes of carbon
dioxide and methane emissions annually, which equals nearly eight
percent of the world's emissions and is equivalent to one third of
the total carbon emissions from the United States in 2003."
"This ruling is a wake up call for the federal government to
tackle the growing environmental and human impacts of global
warming," said Norman L. Dean, Executive Director of Friends of the
Earth.
"This case once again highlights the fact that global warming
pollution doesn't recognize political borders," said Kert Davies,
Research Director of Greenpeace. "The judge acknowledged that these
taxpayer-funded projects in other countries have impact back home
in the United States."
"Tragically, the federal government is violating federal law,
which requires an assessment of cumulative impacts. This injures
the citizens of Oakland, and every person in this country. We'll
fight as long as it takes to get federal law properly enforced,"
said Jerry Brown, Mayor of the City of Oakland.
To read related legal documents, testimony from plaintiffs and
expert witnesses and examples of projects being considered by
Ex-Im/OPIC, visit www.climatelawsuit.org