WikimediaLouisiana’s oil industry is hailing a state judge’s dismissal of Jefferson Parish’s lawsuit against oil companies it blames for contributing to coastal damage.
Jefferson is among coastal parishes making such claims in state courts. Judge Stephen Enright’s decision, dated Aug. 1 and made public Tuesday, says the parish lawsuit was premature and that the parish must first seek remedies through state regulatory agencies.
Meanwhile, an attorney handling the litigation for the parish says papers will be filed in court soon to address the judge’s ruling. Attorney John Carmouche said there is a misunderstanding as to whether such administrative remedies exist in this case. He said papers soon will be filed in the district court “to cure that misunderstanding.”
Similar suits are pending in Plaquemines, Cameron and Vermilion parishes.