**Exxon Mobil Strikes Back: Countersuing California Over Plastic Allegations**
Exxon Mobil has taken a bold step in the ongoing battle over plastic pollution, filing a lawsuit against California Attorney General Rob Bonta and environmental groups for what it calls a “smear campaign” against its plastics recycling efforts. The oil giant alleges that the criticism it faced was driven by “foreign influence, personal ambition, and murky financing.”
**Exxon’s Allegations and Response**
In a federal court filing in Texas, Exxon accused Bonta and environmental groups like Baykeeper, Heal the Bay, the Sierra Club, and Surfrider Foundation of engaging in a deceptive campaign against the company. The initial lawsuits against Exxon claimed that the company had been deceptive about plastics recycling for decades, exacerbating the global plastic pollution crisis.
According to internal industry documents, Exxon knew that traditional recycling methods couldn’t handle the growing plastic waste but still promoted recycling initiatives to deflect criticism. Exxon’s counter lawsuit highlights a financial connection between the environmental groups and an Australian mining company, Fortescue, suggesting ulterior motives in their legal actions.
**Insights and Reactions**
Andrew Forrest, the founder of Fortescue, expressed delight at Exxon’s legal action, emphasizing a commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels. However, Cotchett, Pitre, & McCarthy, LLP, representing the environmental groups, dismissed the lawsuit as a distraction from the real issue of plastic pollution.
Exxon’s focus on “advanced recycling” technologies, such as chemical recycling, has been a point of contention. While proponents argue that chemical recycling can address non-recyclable plastics, critics like Bonta and the environmental groups have labeled it a “myth” and a “sham,” leading to defamation claims from Exxon.
**The Battle Continues**
Exxon’s lawsuit seeks damages and relief, emphasizing the impact of the allegations on its operations in Texas. The company’s investment in expanding chemical recycling facilities underscores its commitment to these technologies.
Despite the legal back-and-forth, voices like Judith Enck from Beyond Plastics question the efficacy of chemical recycling and stress the importance of truthful dialogue in addressing plastic pollution. The Sierra Club and other environmental groups remain steadfast in their pursuit of accountability from Exxon, viewing the lawsuit as a tactic of intimidation.
As the legal drama unfolds, the underlying issue of plastic pollution remains at the forefront, with stakeholders on both sides gearing up for a battle that could shape the future of recycling practices and environmental advocacy.