NYC reviewing legal options after losing lawsuit against oil companies

NEW YORK CITY: A judge has dismissed New York City's lawsuit against Exxon Mobil, BP, Shell, and the American Petroleum Institute, which accused them of misleading the public about their products and commitment to renewable energy and climate change efforts.

State Supreme Court Justice Anar Patel ruled that the city could not claim its residents were aware of the link between fossil fuels and climate change while also claiming the companies' advertising misled them.

"The city cannot have it both ways," Patel ruled.

Patel found no evidence that the companies ran "greenwashing" campaigns-promoting false claims about clean and renewable energy to boost fossil fuel sales in the city. She also said statements like Exxon's claim that its fuel helps people drive "cleaner, smarter, and longer" were too vague to prove deception about climate change.

New York City, home to 8.3 million people, had argued the companies misled consumers by portraying themselves as climate leaders despite minimal investments in renewable energy like wind and solar. The city sought fines and an end to the alleged deceptive practices.

Nicholas Paolucci, a city spokesperson, said officials are reviewing their next steps.

"Our complaint alleged that these defendants spent millions to mislead consumers to think that they, and their products, contribute to a clean energy future," he said. "They do not. Companies that violate the city's consumer protection laws should be held fully accountable. New Yorkers deserve no less."

Exxon said in a statement, "At some point, our hope is that political figures around the country come to understand that ideological hatred for us doesn't mean we did anything wrong."

Many state and local governments have filed similar lawsuits against oil companies over their role in climate change. This ruling came one day after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Honolulu's climate lawsuit against several oil companies to proceed.

New York City's case began in April 2021, shortly after a federal court rejected a similar lawsuit against major oil companies. The American Petroleum Institute welcomed Patel's ruling, stating that climate policy should be decided by Congress, not through lawsuits.