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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Gov. Brown signs landmark Oregon anti-coal bill into law ... FERC rejects Jordan Cove LNG project; opponents rejoice ... Wet storm will bring mountain snow, valley rain ... Gov. Brown signs landmark Oregon anti-coal bill into law ... FERC rejects Jordan Cove LNG project; opponents rejoice ... Wet storm will bring mountain snow, valley rain ... COURTS Judge hears dismissal request in Eugene kids' climate-change suit Judge hears dismissal request from govt, energy firms Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 10, 2016 at 5:51 PM Posted Mar. 10, 2016 at 5:51 PM » Social News EUGENE — A federal judge is considering a dismissal request from defense attorneys in a lawsuit filed by a group of youths seeking a court order to reduce emissions contributing to climate change. Lawyers for both the government and trade groups representing Exxon Mobil, BP and other energy companies asked U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Coffin on Wednesday to throw out the suit, The Register-Guard reported. "Nothing supports the claims in this case," Quin Sorenson, an attorney representing the trade groups, told Coffin during a two-hour hearing. Defense attorneys argued that the lawsuit fails to state valid legal claims and instead, centers on issues that should be decided by government agencies and lawmakers. They also argue the plaintiffs are unable to bring the litigation because they haven't shown any actual or imminent injury, instead claiming only general harms. The plaintiffs, a group of 21 youths between the ages of 8 and 19 and Columbia University climate scientist James Hansen, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Eugene last summer, saying their generation will bear the brunt of global warming and that government at every level has an obligation to protect natural resources. "This is the biggest issue on the planet," Hansen said after the hearing. Julia Olson, an attorney for the plaintiffs, argued that the lawsuit has legal grounds important for the sake of the environment. "Our nation will be properly served when this court exercises its constitutional duty and hears this case," she said. Coffin said he will prepare a ruling on the lawsuit's fate at an unspecified later date. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 10, 2016 at 5:51 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501