As Baltimore County considers litigation against oil companies over climate change, some council members express doubts

Baltimore County’s law office wants to hire a legal firm to consider litigation against fossil fuels companies over climate change, which could mimic suits filed by Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County and jurisdictions across the country. But it will need the approval of the Baltimore County Council, and some members have concerns about the proposal. A contract with the law firm Sher Edling was brought before the council for the first time Tuesday evening. It won’t be voted on by the body until at least its next meeting, which is Monday evening. Sher Edling is litigating about 20 suits from cities and counties against oil and gas companies, alleging they should bear costs associated with climate change, in part because they hid information from the public about the harmful impacts of greenhouse gas emissions.