A federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit by Exxon Mobil against Massachusetts and New York to try to stop their investigation into whether the oil giant lied about climate change.
Judge Valerie Caproni ruled that Exxon Mobil's allegation that the states were politically motivated and were trying to deprive it of its constitutional rights was "implausible."
Caproni dismissed Exxon's lawsuit "with prejudice," meaning it cannot sue a second time.
Massachusetts and New York Attorneys General Maura Healey and Eric Schneiderman, respectively, who pursued the case against Exxon, said they were pleased by the judge's decision.
An Exxon spokesman said the company was considering its next legal steps. He wrote in an email to the media: "We believe the risk of climate change is real and we want to be part of the solution. We've invested about $8 billion on energy efficiency and low-emission technologies, such as carbon capture and next generation biofuels."
Exxon sued in 2016 after the two attorneys general subpoenaed documents pertaining to whether the oil company had hidden knowledge about global warming and had lied to its investors about the effects to protect its profits.