San Juan is suing major fossil fuel companies and entities — including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, BP, the American Petroleum Institute — under a variety of claims, including the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
The lawsuit argues that the companies’ coordinated climate deception fueled the 2017 hurricane season that claimed thousands of lives and caused billions of dollars in damage to the U.S. territory. The municipality seeks to hold the companies accountable and recover for the damage suffered.
“The Defendants have intentionally interfered with the citizens and residents of the Municipality of San Juan’s rights to life, liberty, and the enjoyment of property as guaranteed by … the Constitution of Puerto Rico.”
The Municipality of San Juan v. ExxonMobil et al.
Municipality of San Juan
Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips, Motiva Enterprises, Occidental, BHP, Rio Tinto
Climate
Public Nuisance, Private Nuisance, Civil Conspiracy, Products Liability: Failure to Warn, Unjust Enrichment, Consumer Protection, Racketeering, Antitrust, Products Liability: Design Defect, Fraud