The residents of a small North Carolina town are suing Duke Energy, one of the largest utilities companies in the world, for its role in contributing to climate change. In the process, they are continuing a nationwide trend of communities suing oil companies, and now utilities, for contributing to global heating.

Duke Energy provides electricity to more than eight million customers in six states and natural gas to around two million customers in five states.

A town in North Carolina sued utility firm Duke Energy on Wednesday, accusing the company of deceiving its customers and the broader public about the harms of climate change.