States Back Washington's Landmark PCB Tort Case, Suggesting Expansion

摘要

Eight states are defending Washington state in its first-of-its-kind tort litigation against agrochemical giant Monsanto, the sole U.S. manufacturer of poly chlorinated biphenyl (PCBs) that have now contaminated multiple waterbodies, signaling a broader universe of states that could pursue similar litigation against the manufacturer.In a Feb. 27 amicus brief, Oregon, Hawaii, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio and Rhode Island backed Washington's bid to keep its suit in state court, noting that they are filing the brief "to protect their right to pursue, in their own state courts, state-law claims to enforce state environmental laws against national corporations."