The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that ExxonMobil must face trial for lying to the public about its understanding of climate change, minimizing the impact of fossil fuels, Reuters reports.
In a 7-0 decision, the Court ruled that Attorney General Maura Healey could pursue a lawsuit against the fossil fuel giant following a three year investigation into misleading consumers and investors about the role fossil fuels plan on worsening climate change.
ExxonMobil moved to dismiss the suit under the Massachusetts SLAPP provision, saying the lawsuit was motivated to keep the company quiet. The Court, however, struck down the company’s argument, saying the SLAPP standard did not apply to state agencies.