Exxon Mobil has filed a lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and several prominent environmental groups, accusing them of defamation and public disparagement regarding the company’s advanced plastics recycling technology. The lawsuit, which was filed on Monday in federal court in Beaumont, Texas, claims that the state attorney general and environmental advocates have falsely maligned Exxon’s efforts to address the global plastics crisis.
At the heart of the lawsuit is Exxon’s advanced recycling technology, which utilizes heat to break down hard-to-recycle plastics at the molecular level, making them reusable. Exxon contends that the California Attorney General, in collaboration with the environmental law firm Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP, has unfairly labeled this technology as ineffective and misleading, calling it a “myth” and a “sham.” Exxon also claims that the law firm and environmental groups, backed by the Minderoo Foundation—funded by Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest—are actively working to undermine its efforts in recycling innovation.
The lawsuit accuses Bonta of politically motivated actions, including using his influence to promote a legal campaign against Exxon’s recycling initiatives, with the support of environmental groups that have ties to Forrest’s foundation. Exxon further alleges that Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP, which recruited U.S. environmental groups to join the lawsuit against Exxon, also made contributions to Bonta’s political campaign.
Exxon’s legal team is seeking an undisclosed amount in damages and a public retraction of the defamatory statements made by Bonta and the environmental groups. In the lawsuit, Exxon asserts that its technology is a viable solution to addressing the growing plastics pollution problem. The company argues that it has made substantial investments in the development of advanced recycling and continues to push forward with a $200 million expansion project in Texas.
“We are committed to developing innovative solutions to reduce plastic waste and advance recycling technologies,” said an Exxon spokesperson. “Instead of supporting these efforts, our opponents are making false and damaging claims about our company and its technology. These defamatory statements are not only misleading but are hindering progress in addressing one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.”
In response, a spokesperson for the California Department of Justice reiterated that Exxon’s legal action is an attempt to divert attention from its alleged environmental misdeeds. “This is another attempt from ExxonMobil to deflect attention from its own unlawful deception. The Attorney General is proud to advance his lawsuit against ExxonMobil and looks forward to vigorously litigating this case in court,” the statement read.
Attorney General Bonta’s office has previously filed legal action against Exxon, accusing the oil giant of a decades-long deception about the limitations of recycling. Bonta has called for Exxon to be held fully accountable for its role in exacerbating the global plastics pollution crisis.
This lawsuit marks the latest development in Exxon’s ongoing battles with environmental groups and activists. Last year, Exxon also took legal action against activist investors who had filed a shareholder proposal addressing climate change, even after those investors withdrew the proposal. Climate advocates expressed concern that Exxon’s legal actions could stifle shareholder engagement and public debate on critical environmental issues. A U.S. judge dismissed Exxon’s lawsuit against the activist investors in June 2024.
As Exxon continues to face public scrutiny over its environmental practices, the company is focusing its efforts on expanding its advanced recycling capabilities, hoping to make a significant impact in the fight against plastic waste. With its $200 million investment in Texas, Exxon aims to scale up its recycling technologies, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Exxon remains steadfast in its commitment to advanced recycling technologies. The company continues to assert that its innovations in recycling will help reduce the environmental impact of plastics and contribute to a circular economy. Exxon is hopeful that continued investment in these technologies will provide a solution to the ever-growing problem of plastic pollution.
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