Oil giant Exxon Mobil countersues California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta for defamation, alleging Bonta falsely accused them of misleading the public about plastic recycling. The lawsuit claims Bonta's accusations damage Exxon's reputation and accuses environmental groups of 'reverse greenwashing'.
Oil giant Exxon Mobil has filed a defamation lawsuit against California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta , claiming Bonta falsely accused the company of deceiving the public about the potential for plastic recycling .
The suit, filed Monday in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas, amounts to a counterpunch against a suit Bonta filed against Exxon Mobil last September accusing the company of greatly exaggerating the extent to which plastics can be recycled by portraying them as universally recyclable. Exxon claims that accusations by Bonta and environmental groups have damaged its reputation with customers. “With apparently no appreciation for the irony of their claim, Mr. Bonta and his cohorts are now engaging in reverse greenwashing,” according to the complaint, which also names environmental groups including the Sierra Club and the Surfrider Foundation. “While posing under the banner of environmentalism, they do damage to genuine recycling programs and to meaningful innovation,” the lawsuit says. The legal battle underscores a widening rift between California and oil companies. Plastics are a product of the petroleum industry, created by processing chemicals found in hydrocarbons. Bonta's suit against Exxon goes beyond issues of consumer deception to address plastic manufacturing itself. Plastic waste is increasingly recognized as a serious global pollution problem. The Bonta suit seeks financial penalties “for the harm inflicted by plastics pollution upon California’s communities and the environment.” Bonta alleged the company “falsely promoted all plastic as recyclable” while the recycling rate of plastics in the U.S. is below 10%. Exxon has disputed those claims. The battle against Big Oil has become a hallmark of the administration of Gov. Gavin Newsom. He’s accused oil companies of price gouging, although state efforts to prove it have thus far born no fruit
Plastic Recycling Defamation Lawsuit Exxon Mobil Rob Bonta Environmental Groups
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Exxon Mobil Sues California Attorney General Over Plastic RecyclingOil giant Exxon Mobil has filed a defamation lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and environmental groups, claiming they are damaging the company's reputation for its advanced plastics recycling initiatives.
Read more »
California AG Bonta Equips Immigrants with Rights Information Ahead of Trump PresidencyCalifornia Attorney General Rob Bonta is actively informing immigrants about their rights in anticipation of President-elect Donald Trump's policies on immigration. Bonta is holding meetings throughout the state to educate immigrants about their rights, regardless of their legal status, in case of mass deportations.
Read more »
Philly juries awarded more than $3.3 billion in verdicts this year. Here are the largest five.The largest verdicts were against Monsanto, Exxon Mobil, OCF Construction and other contractors, and Temple University.
Read more »
1963 Ferrari California Body Swapped With A 2010 California Is Nightmare FuelThis special project needs someone with the vision and dedication to turn it into a true dream come true
Read more »
Northern California Crews Assist Southern California in Drought ConditionsHigh winds, low humidity, and a returning drought status in Southern California have prompted CAL FIRE to deploy resources from Northern California to bolster fire protection. 45 engines, over 100 personnel, water tenders, bulldozers, and aircraft are being sent to high-risk areas. CAL FIRE officials emphasize the seriousness of Santa Ana wind events, which often trigger major wildfires during the winter months.
Read more »
Matt Fleming: Rob Bonta should brush up on the facts before begging for attentionHere’s some free advice for politicians: Be sure to get the basics right when begging for attention on social media. Over the weekend, California’s Yale-educated Attorney General Rob Bonta, who is …
Read more »