November 5, 2015

New York Launches Probe Into Allegations Exxon Covered Up Climate Dangers

<a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-159642965/stock-photo-forssa-finland-october-sign-mobil-on-a-wall-on-october-in-forssa-finland-mobil-is.html?src=csl_recent_image-1">Taina Sohlman</a>/Shutterstock


On Thursday, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced the state has officially opened an investigation looking into whether ExxonMobil deliberately covered up research into the dangers of climate change.

From the New York Times:

The focus includes the company’s activities dating to the late 1970s, including a period of at least a decade when Exxon Mobil funded groups that sought to undermine climate science. A major focus of the investigation is whether the company adequately warned investors about potential financial risks stemming from society’s need to limit fossil-fuel use…”We unequivocally reject the allegations that Exxon Mobil has suppressed climate-change research,” [Exxon vice president Kenneth P.] Cohen said, adding that the company had funded mainstream climate science since the 1970s, had published dozens of scientific papers on the topic, and had disclosed climate risks to investors.

The announcement comes on the heels of calls from Democratic presidential candidates, including Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, for the US Justice Department to open a similar investigation.

This is a breaking news post.

 

More Mother Jones reporting on Climate Desk

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We just wrapped up a shorter-than-normal, urgent-as-ever fundraising drive and we came up about $45,000 short of our $300,000 goal.

That means we're going to have upwards of $350,000, maybe more, to raise in online donations between now and June 30, when our fiscal year ends and we have to get to break-even. And even though there's zero cushion to miss the mark, we won't be all that in your face about our fundraising again until June.

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