Exxon Mobil Corporation and related entities (Exxon) moved to dismiss Conservation Law Foundation’s (CLF’s) amended complaint alleging that Exxon violated the Clean Water Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act by failing to prepare a marine distribution terminal in Massachusetts for severe weather and other climatic events. CLF alleged that Exxon had failed to design the terminal or its waste water treatment system “to address precipitation and/or flooding, which is exacerbated by storms and storm surges, sea level rise, and increasing sea surface temperatures.” CLF alleged that climate change was increasing the frequency and severity of events such as extreme rainfall. In support of motion to dismiss, Exxon argued that CLF had defied the court’s earlier ruling that CLF lacked standing for injuries that would occur “in the far future” due to climate change impacts. Exxon asserted that CLF continued “to assert climate change claims premised on distant and speculative impacts” and had failed to identify violations of the facility’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Exxon argued that the Clean Water Act’s permit shield and the collateral attack doctrine barred CLF’s claims.

Citizen suit alleging violations of RCRA and Clean Water Act for failure to take action to prepare marine terminal for climate change.

Conservation Law Foundation v. ExxonMobil Corp.

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Exxon Sought to Dismiss Amended Claims Regarding Climate Change Preparation at Massachusetts Terminal

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