Recent reports have brought to light substantial evidence that Exxon was informed by its own scientists about the threat of climate change nearly four decades ago; that, instead of making public what it learned and setting about to transform itself into a clean energy company, Exxon proceeded to spend tens of millions of dollars on a calculated campaign of doubt, trying first to convince us all that climate change isn’t real, then that climate change isn’t that bad, and, finally, that there’s no clear causal connection between the burning of fossil fuel and the climate crisis.
Why is this important?
During this time—while a whole generation was being deprived of the opportunity to begin taking meaningful steps to avert climate catastrophe--the warming of the earth has steadily increased. Species have begun to die. People have begun to die. Exxon, in the meantime, has taken in profits during some of these years larger than any corporation has ever seen.
Has there ever been a greater, more consequential case of fraud in history? It is time that Exxon be called to account.
You, Attorney General Mills, have just joined a coalition of state Attorneys General dedicated to combating climate change and bringing to justice those who by intentional deception are shown to have broken the law and violated the public trust. In that connection, you have said: "Our natural resources are the lifeblood of our state’s economy and our quality of life. Global climate change demands immediate action and I am committed to using the authority of my office to address the problem in a meaningful way by defending important EPA regulations against attacks led by the coal industry and exploring litigation options that will hold the worst polluters accountable for their actions.”
For these words and for that step, we thank you. Now we call upon you to take a further step.
Once before—through litigation against Big Tobacco brought by a coalition of states Attorneys General—corporate deceptions on a till then unthinkable scale were exposed and punished. It is time for Big Oil to be subjected to the same scrutiny.
We put our names to this petition asking that you, as Maine’s Attorney General, seize this historic opportunity to investigate Exxon—thereby pushing the lies and the deception out into broad daylight and bringing us a step closer to dismantling the power of an industry that's still recklessly -- and knowingly -- driving the climate crisis.
The time for Exxon’s day in court has come. The truth must come out and Exxon be called to account.
How it will be delivered
350 Maine
