The two other trade associations that intervened in a novel climate change lawsuit are now joining the National Association of Manufacturers in seeking to withdraw from the suit.

The American Petroleum Institute and the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers filed the withdrawal motion Thursday, according to Inside Climate News, three days after the NAM's motion. Such motions are unusual, the news organization reported. http://bit.ly/2rQVHx4

The group Our Children's Trust filed the suit in 2015 on behalf of 21 children who say their right to a healthy climate is being denied.

The three trade groups had joined the suit on behalf of the federal government, seeking repeatedly and unsuccessfully, along with the Justice Department, to have it dismissed.

Julia Olson, a lead counsel for the plaintiffs and executive director of Our Children's Trust, said the industry lobbyists are seeking to withdraw in order to avoid being forced to divulge information during the discovery process that could be damaging.

The oil industry conducted climate change research decades ago, and the plaintiffs have said they want to depose former longtime ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as part of the case. Tillerson is now Secretary of State.
But API, in a statement to CEO Update, did not cite the risk of discovery as the reason for withdrawing.

"This case is about separation of powers among the three branches of government," the group said. "We continue to focus on the progress the U.S. is making leading the world in reducing carbon and other emissions, and we have full confidence that the courts will recognize that Congress and the executive branch have the constitutional authority to write and execute the laws of the U.S."

AFPM said in a statement that the Trump administration will strongly contest the suit.

"AFPM has decided to withdraw from this case, as we are confident that the U.S. Department of Justice will rigorously defend its position and that the court will conclude that setting national environmental policy is the role of Congress and the president," the group said.

"Fossil fuels have enormously benefitted mankind, and the plaintiffs' proposal to eliminate them would severely harm our nation and the world," the AFPM statement said.

The NAM also cited the change in administration last week.

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