A state court judge denied Exxon’s motion to dismiss Connecticut’s lawsuit against the company marking a major victory in the fight against climate change. The lawsuit, filed by Connecticut Attorney General William Tong in 2020 under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, is seeking to hold ExxonMobil accountable for “an ongoing, systematic campaign of lies and deception” in causing climate change.
This defeat against Exxon is the latest as the oil giant faces additional lawsuits in several other states including, Massachusetts, Hawaii, Colorado, and Maryland.
“Connecticut is now one major step closer to putting ExxonMobil on trial for lying to consumers about the catastrophic harms caused by their fossil fuel products,” Richard Wiles, president of the Center for Climate Integrity, said. “It’s time for the people of Connecticut to have their day in court to hold Exxon accountable for its climate lies and make the company pay for the damages its deception has caused.”
According to a press release, the lawsuit seeks to make Exxon:
- Stop lying in violation of the state’s consumer protection act;
- Pay $5,000 for each time Exxon violated the act;
- Disclose climate research and studies in Exxon’s possession;
- “Fund a corrective education campaign to remedy the harm inflicted by decades of disinformation” — similar to how tobacco companies have been made to fund efforts to educate the public about the harms of smoking;
- Pay “equitable relief” for “past and ongoing deceptive acts and practices associated with climate change” that will require costs to mitigate, adapt, and make Connecticut more resilient; and
- Pay restitution and disgorgement to Connecticut “as appropriate to rectify” Exxon’s “unlawful behavior.”
Superior Court Judge John Farley said that by registering to do business in Connecticut, Exxon Mobil “has consented to jurisdiction” in the state. His decision puts the case one step closer to trial in state court.
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