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Connecticut Sues ExxonMobil Over Climate Change

Frankie Graziano
/
Connecticut Public Radio
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, seen here in a file photo.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong announced Monday the state is taking on one of the world’s biggest oil companies, suing ExxonMobil for allegedly lying to consumers about climate change. At a news conference in New Haven, Tong contended the company has known for the past 70 years that its products were contributing to climate change.

“After Hurricane Irene and Superstorm Sandy, right here in this city, we know the tremendous damage it can do and has done and will do unless we take major action to fight it,” said Tong.

In the suit, the state seeks reimbursement for any mitigation measures taken because of climate change -- like the more than $200 million spent on flood-control projects in the Elm City.

“This is money that we could be spending on the vital things that keep our community safe,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker. 

Tong said the state is suing under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, or CUTPA. Tong claims the company has known since the 1950s through its own research the damage that burning oil and gas could cause. 

“ExxonMobil spent a lot of time, energy, money on climate science for a very long period of time so we expect there to be a lot to explore, a lot of people to talk to, and we feel very confident we are going to be able to build a strong case against one of the biggest companies on earth,” Tong said, adding that there is no statute of limitations under CUTPA.

Meanwhile, in a written statement to Connecticut Public Radio, ExxonMobil spokesperson Casey Norton said:

“Legal proceedings like this waste millions of dollars of taxpayer money and do nothing to advance meaningful actions that reduce the risks of climate change. ExxonMobil will continue to invest in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while meeting society’s growing demand for energy. The claims are baseless and without merit. We look forward to defending the company in court.”

Tong said it took almost two years to build the case against the company. He expects other states to file similar lawsuits.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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Connecticut Public’s journalism is made possible, in part by funding from Jeffrey Hoffman and Robert Jaeger.