Exxon Seeks to Depose Officials Bringing Climate Change Suits

By Peter Hayes

Exxon Mobil is alleging that climate change claims by several California municipalities are inconsistent with statements they made to investors in their bond offerings.

The company asked a Texas trial court Jan. 8 to order pre-suit discovery “to determine whether legal action is warranted,” arguing that the municipalities are “abusing law enforcement authority and legal process to impose their viewpoint on climate change.”

The filing is the latest salvo in climate change public nuisance litigation, which observers say is likely to expand beyond California.

In the underlying suits filed in California, the counties of Marin and San ...