Exxon Mobil Fights Back: Suing California Attorney General for Defamation and Greenwashing Accusations

Oil giant Exxon Mobil has filed a defamation lawsuit against California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta, alleging that Bonta falsely accused the company of deceiving the public about the potential for plastic recycling. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Texas, is a response to a suit Bonta filed last September, accusing Exxon Mobil of exaggerating the recyclability of plastics.

Exxon Mobil claims that the accusations made by Bonta and environmental groups have damaged its reputation with customers. The company stated in the complaint that Bonta and his cohorts are engaging in “reverse greenwashing,” damaging genuine recycling programs and innovation while posing as environmentalists.

The legal battle highlights the growing divide between California and oil companies, as plastics are a product of the petroleum industry. Bonta’s lawsuit against Exxon goes beyond consumer deception to address the issue of plastic manufacturing itself, as plastic waste is increasingly recognized as a global pollution problem. The suit seeks financial penalties for the harm caused by plastics pollution in California.

Bonta alleged that Exxon Mobil falsely promoted all plastic as recyclable, despite the recycling rate of plastics in the U.S. being below 10%. Exxon has disputed these claims, stating that advanced recycling technology can solve the issue of plastic waste.

The conflict with Big Oil has been a focus of Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration, with accusations of price gouging and efforts to keep gasoline prices down as the state transitions to electric vehicles. California has increased financial penalties on oil refineries through its Low Carbon Fuel Standards program, raising questions about future gasoline supply and prices at the pump if more oil companies leave the state.

In October, Phillips 66 announced plans to shut down its Los Angeles-area refinery, citing market conditions as the reason for the decision. The ongoing legal battles and policy changes in California’s energy sector continue to shape the relationship between the state and oil companies.