New York City lawsuit against Exxon, BP, Shell over climate change dismissed by Reuters

Written by Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK (Reuters) – A judge has thrown out a New York City lawsuit that wanted to go on hold Exxon Mobile BP (NYSE:) and Shell (LON:) are responsible for misleading the public about their products, and their commitment to renewable energy and fighting climate change.

In Tuesday’s ruling, Supreme Court Justice Anar Patel said the city can’t claim its climate-conscious citizens have an opinion about whether coal is causing climate change, but are being duped by the failure of the oil companies to reveal whether the products contributed to it.

“The city can’t have it both ways,” Patel wrote.

Patel found no evidence that oil companies and the defendant American Petroleum Institute conducted “greenwashing” campaigns, including claims about clean energy and alternative energy, to boost product sales. of fossil fuels in the city.

He also said general statements such as Exxon’s claim that its fuel helped people drive “cleaner, smarter” were too vague to suggest the defendants’ products were unrelated. and climate change.

With about 8.3 million people, New York City said companies are falsely portraying themselves in advertising and social media as climate change leaders despite little investment in clean energy. with wind and sun.

It wanted to fine the public and put an end to the alleged fraud.

Nicholas Paolucci, a spokesman for the city’s law department, said Wednesday that the city is evaluating its options.

“Our complaint alleges that these defendants have spent millions to mislead consumers into thinking that they, and their products, are contributing to a clean energy future,” he said. “They don’t. Companies that violate consumer protection laws should be held fully accountable.

In a statement, Exxon said: “At some point, our hope is that political people across the country will understand that emotional hatred towards us does not mean that we have done anything wrong.”

Shell declined to comment. BP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Many US federal and local governments have sued oil companies over climate change, including emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Patel’s ruling came a day after the United States Supreme Court refused to stay the city of Honolulu’s lawsuit against Exxon, BP, Shell and several other oil companies.

The New York City trial began in April 2021, three weeks after a federal appeals court rejected its lawsuit seeking to hold Exxon, BP, Shell, Chevron (NYSE: ) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE: ) responsible for paying its costs from global warming.

The American Petroleum Institute welcomed the latest decision. “Climate policy is for Congress to debate and decide, not the courts,” said Ryan Meyers, the trade group’s general counsel.

The case is City of New York v. Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:) et al, Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, No. 451071/2021.