ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The New York and Massachusetts attorneys general are refusing to comply with congressional subpoenas seeking records about their investigations into whether Exxon Mobil misled investors about man-made climate change.
In an escalating political fight over global warming, House Science Committee Chairman Lamar Smith is pursuing records from New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, along with nine environmental, scientific and philanthropic organizations.
In a letter Tuesday, Schneiderman's lawyer calls the July 13 subpoena "an unprecedented effort" bringing them "closer to a protracted, unnecessary legal confrontation."
Healey's counsel says her subpoena is "an unconstitutional and unwarranted interference with a legitimate ongoing state investigation."
Smith accused them of chilling scientific free speech with their investigations.
He says he'll use all available committee tools to further his probe.
