The federal district court remanded to state court the State of California’s lawsuit regarding Exxon Mobil Corporation’s (ExxonMobil’s) contributions to “ever-increasing plastic pollution.” The court denied a motion to remand a similar lawsuit brought by environmental groups. Both the State and the environmental organizations’ lawsuits include allegations that ExxonMobil misled the public about the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of “advanced recycling.” In the environmental groups’ lawsuit, the plaintiffs conceded that diversity jurisdiction was proper but argued that the federal court should abstain from considering their case based on Younger or Colorado River abstention. 

Environmental groups' lawsuit against Exxon Mobil Corporation in connection with the company's plastic operations.

Sierra Club v. Exxon Mobil Corp.

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Environmental Groups’ Plastics Lawsuit Against ExxonMobil to Stay in Federal Court

Filed

United States of America

California

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Any substance with chemical properties that can cause physical harm to people or damage the environment, including ammonia, carbon monoxide, phosphine, chlorine, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, pesticides, dioxins, microplastics, benzene, asbestos, aflatoxins, fluoride, methanol, and toxins from marine sources.

Environmental Groups’ Plastics Lawsuit Against ExxonMobil to Stay in Federal Court

Risk

Impacted group

Fossil fuel

Economic sector

Adaptation/resilience