The oil industry is hitting back after being sued for climate damages by California cities and counties.
The Manufacturers’ Accountability Project (MAP), an oil industry supporter, demanded a swath of records from the municipalities that sued more than 20 oil companies. Citing a state public records law, MAP asked for paperwork, cellphone records, reports, memos, payments and other documents containing oil company names. They’re also asking for city contracts with law firms working on contingency, a form of payment that awards a percent of what the firm is able to win.
MAP, an arm of the National Association of Manufacturers, said it wants to expose details of the eight lawsuits against oil companies filed by California municipalities.