- Delaware AG Kathy Jennings sued 31 fossil fuel companies and the industry’s trade association (collectively “Defendants”) over allegations that they knowingly misled and deceived consumers about the climate change dangers of fossil fuels, asserting claims including negligent failure to warn, trespass, public nuisance, and numerous violations of Delaware’s Consumer Fraud Act.
- The complaint alleges that Defendants knew that burning fossil fuels contributed to climate change but hid their research and deceived consumers through advertising and “greenwashing” campaigns, among other things. The complaint further alleges that Defendants’ actions caused harm to public health, the environment, and the economy.
- The complaint seeks injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, civil penalties, and attorneys’ fees and costs.
- Separately, Connecticut AG William Tong also sued Exxon Mobil Corporation (“Exxon”) over allegations that it knowingly misled consumers about the climate change dangers of fossil fuels in violation of the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. The complaint seeks, among other things, injunctive relief, remediation for past, present and future harm from climate change, restitution, disgorgement, civil penalties, attorneys’ fees and costs, and disclosure of all climate research.
- As previously reported, other Democratic AGs, including Minnesota AG Keith Ellison, New York AG Letitia James, and District of Columbia AG Karl Racine have also sued Exxon over similar allegations.