Court clears ExxonMobil of misleading investors about cost of climate change

A New York judge Tuesday ruled that ExxonMobil did not mislead investors about how it accounted for the cost of climate change regulations.

The suit, brought by the New York state attorney general, alleged the company used one dollar figure for its internal estimates, yet told the public it was using a higher figure. ExxonMobil denied the allegations and said the two numbers were used for different financial impacts from climate change regulation.

“The Office of the Attorney General failed to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that ExxonMobil made any material misstatements or omissions about its practices and procedures that misled any reasonable investor,” Judge Barry Ostrager wrote in the decision.

Ostrager said the testimony of New York attorney general’s witnesses was “eviscerated” by Exxon’s lawyers and expert witnesses.

Former Exxon CEO and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testified for the defense. during the trial.

A spokesman for the New York attorney general’s office told CNN the state is reviewing Judge Ostrager’s decision. Exxon called the allegations “baseless.”

“Today’s ruling affirms the position ExxonMobil has held,” the company said. “ExxonMobil will continue to invest in researching breakthrough technologies to reduce emissions while meeting society’s growing demand for energy.”

— CNN’s Kate Trafecante contributed to this report