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Take 2: Appeals Court Denies Another Government Attempt To Quash Climate Case

Youth plaintiffs in front of the Federal Courthouse in Eugene.
Rachael McDonald
Youth plaintiffs in front of the Federal Courthouse in Eugene.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Friday denied a second attempt by the Trump Administration to stop a lawsuit brought by 21 young people over climate change from going to trial. 

Youths suing the government outside Eugene Federal Courthouse after hearing on climate case.
Credit Rachael McDonald
Youth plaintiffs in front of the Federal Courthouse in Eugene.

The government used a legal strategy called petitioning for a writ of mandamus for a second time and again the 9th circuit denied it.

Attorney Phillip Gregory represents the young plaintiffs. He says he’s pleased by the ruling. 

"That this case should go to trial on a fully developed factual record where the testimony of these young plaintiffs and our experts as to the climate science and other issues are developed. So that the district court can base its decision on a full record supported by the evidence."

The lawsuit claims government policies have contributed to climate change which violates the constitutional rights of young people. The government has also asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review the climate lawsuit. If the case survives this latest attempt to quash it, the trial is scheduled to start October 29th at the Eugene Federal Courthouse.  

Copyright 2018 KLCC.

Copyright 2018 KLCC

Rachael McDonald is KLCC's All Things Considered host. She also reports on a variety of topics including local government, education, and breaking news.