Washington, D.C. — In response to fifteen state attorneys general filing an amicus brief in support of manufacturers before Judge William Alsup in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Lindsey de la Torre, executive director of the Manufacturers’ Accountability Project (MAP), released the following statement:

“This brief signed by 15 attorneys general from across the country is a significant step in defending manufacturers in America and discouraging further costly litigation. With strong support from the attorneys general across the country, manufacturers look to spend less time in the courtroom fighting baseless lawsuits that enrich trial lawyers and more time working towards meaningful solutions.”

Among the signees is Attorney General Cynthia Coffman of Colorado, where a lawsuit was just filed by the City of Boulder, Boulder County and San Miguel County.

In their brief, the attorneys general note the potential slippery slope presented by the lawsuits, writing, “States have an especially strong interest in this case because the list of potential defendants is limitless. Plaintiffs’ theory of liability involves nothing more specific than promoting the use of fossil fuels. As utility owners, power plant operators, and generally significant users of fossil fuels (through facilities, vehicle fleets and highway construction, among other functions), States and their political subdivisions themselves may be future defendants in similar actions.”

The amicus brief was signed by attorneys general from Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.