Summary

Chapter 20 – Policing the State. While Kendra is working on the civil suit, John is taking on laws recently formulated and passed by the Republican state legislature (Act 13) that essentially give fossil fuel companies free access to land and resources with no liability for any problems that might emerge. One of the clauses in the law: that physicians are not allowed to disclose test results relating to investigations into contamination to anyone but the individual persons tested. John makes plans to challenge the law on the basis of its potential to countermand long-standing local zoning laws: his emphasis is still on the fundamental, bi-partisan rights of landowners. He gathers support from other lawyers, including those interested in advocating for land rights and for free, safe access to natural resources. John and his team draft Stacey as a potential witness, narration commenting...