Five of the world's biggest oil companies asked a judge to throw out New York City's lawsuit seeking to hold them responsible for costs related to the environmental changes caused by their products.
BP Plc, Chevron Corp., ConocoPhillips, Exxon Mobil Corp., and Royal Dutch Shell Plc argued that the court lacks the authority to resolve broad policy questions with "profound implications for the global economy, international relations and America's national security."
"Plaintiff attempts to use state tort law to regulate the nationwide -- indeed, worldwide -- activity of companies that play a key role in virtually every sector of the global economy," the companies said. They urged U.S. District Judge John Keenan, who's overseeing the case, to follow the example of other judges who have rejected similar suits.
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