Washington, D.C. – Manufacturers’ Accountability Project (MAP) Executive Director Lindsey de la Torre released the following statement on today’s announcement by Baltimore that the city is suing manufacturers over discredited climate change allegations:

“It’s time for politicians and trial lawyers to put an end to this frivolous litigation. Taxpayer resources should not be used for baseless lawsuits that are designed to enrich trial lawyers and grab headlines for politicians. This abuse of our legal system does nothing to advance meaningful solutions, which manufacturers are focused on every day.”

Lawsuits targeting manufacturers do nothing to address climate change, and as history has demonstrated, these lawsuits stand little chance in the courtroom. Baltimore’s announcement comes just one day after a related lawsuit filed by New York City was dismissed with prejudice by a federal judge. Moreover, U.S. District Judge William Alsup dismissed similar lawsuits filed by San Francisco and Oakland last month, writing, “No plaintiff has ever succeeded in bringing a nuisance claim based on global warming.”

Baltimore argues that their lawsuit is different because it is filed in state court, but it will likely be removed to federal court and dismissed, just like those that came before it.

–MAP–

The Manufacturers’ Accountability Project (MAP) will set the record straight and highlight the concerted, coordinated campaign being waged by plaintiffs’ lawyers, public officials, deep-pocketed foundations and other activists who have sought to undermine and weaken manufacturers in the United States. This campaign will pull back the curtain to expose these efforts and to hold key actors accountable in order to protect our members and American manufacturing workers. The MAP is a project of the NAM’s Manufacturers’ Center for Legal Action (MCLA), which serves as the leading voice of manufacturers in the nation’s courts. Visit us at www.mfgaccountabilityproject.org.