In a new lawsuit, the state’s attorney general claims oil companies deceived the public about fossil fuel products’ contributions to climate change.

Maine on Tuesday became the latest state to sue major oil companies including Exxon Mobil and BP and accuse them of deceiving the public about the role fossil fuels have played in causing climate change.

Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey announced Tuesday that he has filed a lawsuit in state court against a handful of major oil companies because he claims they have been deceiving Maine residents for decades about the role their fossil fuel products played in causing climate change.

Attorney General Aaron Frey, who is seeking re-election, said he intends to hold the energy companies accountable for failing to warn Mainers and concealing knowledge about the consequences of fossil fuels.

Attorney General Aaron Frey claims five major oil companies and the American Petroleum Institute deceived Mainers for decades about the role their products played in causing climate change.