Megan Ahearn, the program director for NYPIRG, says with resistance to the investigation from Exxon and its allies in Congress growing, groups such as 350.org and Food and Water Watch are urging Schneiderman to keep going.

“We wanted to make sure that Attorney General Schneiderman knew that the environmental community, that community groups, that individuals, voters and taxpayers have his back, supporting moving this investigation forward,” she said.

Earlier this month, Exxon Mobil filed a brief in a Texas court accusing Schneiderman and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey of infringing on the corporation’s free-speech rights.

Texas Congressman Lamar Smith has accused the attorneys general of trying to criminalize corporations that hold alternative views on climate science.

According to NYPIRG staff attorney Robert Kornblum, last year Smith even demanded that they turn over documents from their investigations.

“Both Attorney General Healey in Massachusetts and Attorney General Schneiderman refused to comply with those subpoenas because attorneys general are allowed to investigate fraud,” he said. “In fact, that’s their job.”

Last week the House Science Committee again subpoenaed documents from the attorneys general.

The activists say the evidence suggests Exxon Mobil’s own research linked fossil fuels to climate change 40 years ago. But Ahearn notes the company has actively sought to suppress and deny that connection.

“The attorney general’s investigation is absolutely critical to hold them accountable and to move forward on climate action that can start to roll back climate chaos,” she added.