Description: Lawsuit seeking to compel the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore to disclose certain correspondence and agreements related to Baltimore's climate change litigation against fossil fuel companies.
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Energy Policy Advocates v. Mayor & City Council of Baltimore
Case Documents:
Filing Date Type File Action Taken Summary 07/15/2021 Opinion Download Judgment for Mayor and City Council of Baltimore affirmed. Maryland Appellate Court Affirmed Ruling for Baltimore in Case Seeking Correspondence and Agreements Related to City’s Climate Case. The Maryland Court of Special Appeals affirmed a decision granting summary judgment to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore (the City) in a case brought by Energy Policy Advocates under the Maryland Public Information Act to compel the City to disclose correspondence between City attorneys and outside environmental groups, as well as correspondence and agreements with the law firm that represents the City in its lawsuit seeking to hold fossil fuel companies liable for their contributions to climate change. The appellate court found that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion when it granted summary judgment to the City based on the City’s pleadings and an affidavit. The appellate court noted that the judge had found that in camera review or a Vaughn index were not necessary because the information requested by Energy Policy Advocates was protected from disclosure given that there was ongoing litigation.