Lawsuits

Democracy on Trial 

Big Oil spent $5.6 million to oppose Measure Z. But our grassroots campaign prevailed despite being outspent 18 to 1. Measure Z won with 56% of the votes. Unfortunately, Big Oil does not respect democracy. After the election, Chevron, Aera Energy (owned by ExxonMobil and Shell) and other oil interests filed 6 lawsuits challenging Measure Z.

Protect Monterey County assembled a legal team to intervene and help Monterey County defend Measure Z. On December 28, 2017, Monterey County Superior Court rendered a decision on Measure Z (see below). It left the ban on fracking in place but struck down both the ban on new oil wells and the phase out of wastewater injection. Members of Protect Monterey County decided to appeal this decision. We’re confident that a higher court will uphold Measure Z in full and affirm the right of communities to protect themselves from risky oil operations. California law provides local governments with broad authority to protect our air, water and health. (Click here to donate to the Measure Z legal defense fund.)

Legal documents from the Measure Z trial are below.

 

Measure Z Court Decision

Below is Judge Thomas Will’s decision on Measure Z (click on item to view file):

 

 

 

Measure Z Lawsuits 

Below are the complaints filed by plaintiffs (click on item to view file):

 

Legal Briefs 

Below are the arguments submitted by plaintiffs in Phase 1 of the Measure Z trial (click on item to view file):

 

 

Opposing Briefs 

Below are the opposing arguments submitted by Monterey County and Protect Monterey County in Phase 1 of the Measure Z trial (click on item to view file):

 

 

Replies to Opposing Briefs 

Below are the replies submitted by plaintiffs in Phase 1 of the Measure Z trial (click on item to view file):