美法官驳回埃克森美孚对麻省及纽约州诉讼案

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 are politically motivated and trying to deprive it of its constitutional rights is "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, say they are pleased by the judge's decision.

An Exxon spokesman said the company is considering its next legal steps. He wrote in an e-mail 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 filed its lawsuit in 2016 after the two attorneys general subpoenaed documents into whether the oil company hid knowledge about global warming and lied to its investors about the effects to protect its profits.