A reader highlights the hypocrisy and logical flaws in the county’s lawsuit against oil and gas companies. As your editorial “A Big Moment for Federalism” (Oct. 3) notes, the central issue in is “whether states and localities can turn federalism on its head to dictate policy for the rest of the country.”
Here is a question for Boulder County: Why stop with targeting oil and gas companies? If it seeks to hold entities responsible for the ills caused by the use of petroleum products, why not include as defendants anyone who has ever used gasoline, vinyl siding, packaged food, electricity, pharmaceuticals, heating oil, fertilizer, rubber, computers, cellphones and so on?
After all, it is consumer demand that keeps oil companies in business. Any judgments received could be apportioned among consumers, with their respective share of damages added to their annual tax bill. Another question for Boulder County: What energy sources does the county use to power its facilities and vehicle fleet? Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.
Source: Wall Street Journal US Business · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing