The ruling clears the way for state Attorney General Maura Healey’s investigation into whether oil giant Exxon misled the public and investors about climate change.
In its ruling, the state’s highest court noted that ExxonMobil reaches the Massachusetts public through a franchise
network of over 300 Exxon and Mobil stations in the state. Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
The Massachusetts Supreme
Judicial Court has handed ExxonMobil another defeat in the company’s legal
battle to head off climate investigations into whether it misled investors and
the public about the risks of climate change.
The court ruled Friday that Attorney General
Maura Healey has the authority to compel Exxon to turn over records showing
whether the oil company’s marketing or sale of fossil fuel products violated
the state’s consumer protection law.
In its 32-page opinion, the state’s highest court
ruled that Healey may proceed with enforcing a civil investigative
demand—similar to a subpoena—for Exxon documents related to climate change
dating back four decades. Her office issued the demand nearly two years ago.
The court rejected each of Exxon’s arguments
that Healey’s investigation should be stopped. Among other things, Exxon had
claimed that Healey was biased based on her participation in a coalition of
attorneys general formed to look into the fossil fuel industry’s actions, and
that the company was outside of Healey’s reach because the corporation did not
do business in the state, though it has 300 Exxon and Mobil franchise gas
stations in Massachusetts.
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In its ruling, the state’s highest court noted that ExxonMobil reaches the Massachusetts public through a franchise
network of over 300 Exxon and Mobil stations in the state. Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
network of over 300 Exxon and Mobil stations in the state. Credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images
The Massachusetts Supreme
Judicial Court has handed ExxonMobil another defeat in the company’s legal
battle to head off climate investigations into whether it misled investors and
the public about the risks of climate change.
Judicial Court has handed ExxonMobil another defeat in the company’s legal
battle to head off climate investigations into whether it misled investors and
the public about the risks of climate change.
The court ruled Friday that Attorney General
Maura Healey has the authority to compel Exxon to turn over records showing
whether the oil company’s marketing or sale of fossil fuel products violated
the state’s consumer protection law.
Maura Healey has the authority to compel Exxon to turn over records showing
whether the oil company’s marketing or sale of fossil fuel products violated
the state’s consumer protection law.
In its 32-page opinion, the state’s highest court
ruled that Healey may proceed with enforcing a civil investigative
demand—similar to a subpoena—for Exxon documents related to climate change
dating back four decades. Her office issued the demand nearly two years ago.
ruled that Healey may proceed with enforcing a civil investigative
demand—similar to a subpoena—for Exxon documents related to climate change
dating back four decades. Her office issued the demand nearly two years ago.
The court rejected each of Exxon’s arguments
that Healey’s investigation should be stopped. Among other things, Exxon had
claimed that Healey was biased based on her participation in a coalition of
attorneys general formed to look into the fossil fuel industry’s actions, and
that the company was outside of Healey’s reach because the corporation did not
do business in the state, though it has 300 Exxon and Mobil franchise gas
stations in Massachusetts.
that Healey’s investigation should be stopped. Among other things, Exxon had
claimed that Healey was biased based on her participation in a coalition of
attorneys general formed to look into the fossil fuel industry’s actions, and
that the company was outside of Healey’s reach because the corporation did not
do business in the state, though it has 300 Exxon and Mobil franchise gas
stations in Massachusetts.
Like this? Click to receive free updates
