In 1998, the four largest U.S. tobacco companies agreed to pay billions of dollars annually to 46 states — including North Carolina — to compensate for decades of tobacco-related health care costs. This Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement lasts in perpetuity and has been credited for accelerating North Carolina’s transition from tobacco toward tech.
Today, one North Carolina town is trying to draw a similar parallel between a corporation’s long-running policies and alleged damages the town has incurred. Carrboro in Orange County has sued Duke Energy for what it claims was a knowing effort to deceive the public about the threat of climate change. It is the first time a municipality has sued its local electricity utility for this reason, the town and company both believe.
