City of Hoboken v. ExxonMobil Corp.

The City of Hoboken, New Jersey sued fossil fuel companies and the American Petroleum Institute for producing and selling fossil fuels while misleading the public about climate change and their role in it.

This case is one of many cases brought by local governments in the United States against the fossil fuel industry in pursuit of damages associated with the cost of adapting to climate change.

Background
Hoboken, New Jersey sits across from New York City on the Hudson River. In 2012, the city experienced significant flooding due to Hurricane Sandy, costing over $100 million in damage. In 2020, the City filed a lawsuit in New Jersey state court against the world's largest investor-owned fossil fuel companies and the American Petroleum Institute. The complaint alleged that Hoboken is vulnerable to sea level rise and had already felt the effects of climate change. As a result, the city had developed an adaptation plan that would cost over $500 million.

The City alleged that the fossil fuel companies had for decades produced and promoted products that they knew would lead to climate change, while leading disinformation campaigns to hide those impacts from the public.

Upon being filed, the defendants removed the case to U.S. Federal Court where it is currently pending.

Relevant Laws and Principles

 * New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act
 * Public Nuisance
 * Private Nuisance
 * Negligence
 * Trespass

Status
The case currently sits in U.S. District Court. No ruling has been issued as of March 2021.

Links

 * Sabin Center Database