Watch 'Inspiring' House Progressives Grill Big Oil CEOs on Climate Lies

 

"Let's hope that this sort of bravery is contagious and spreads all the way to the Oval Office."

JESSICA CORBETT

October 29, 2021

While congressional Republicans on Thursday repeatedly apologized to Big Oil executives for Democrats' demands that their companies stop lobbying against climate action, progressive lawmakers took turns grilling the fossil fuel industry leaders.

"This is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for."

The questioning came during a U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing that featured testimony from top figures at the fossil fuel companies BP America, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell Oil as well as two trade groups—the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce—and concluded with a subpoena announcement.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), chair of the panel's Subcommittee on the Environment, questioned ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods about the company's long track record of denying climate science, which has been detailed in a series of investigations the past six years.

The historic hearing was spearheaded by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)—the committee's chair, who announced the subpoena plans at the very end of Thursday's event—and Khanna.

"We are thankful to see the strong leadership from Chairman Khanna today as he holds the fossil fuel industry accountable—they have skated by as they continue to let the Earth burn," said Joseph Geevarghese, executive director of the progressive group Our Revolution, in a statement.

"The industry has controlled that narrative for far too long, and today is the first step in exposing the truth to the public," he added. "The no holds barred, fearless approach from climate champion Rep. Khanna is exactly what is needed at this moment."

Like Khanna, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took aim at ExxonMobil, referencing an exposé of the oil giant's lobbying tactics published earlier this year that focused in part on the company's efforts to influence the Build Back Better budget reconciliation bill, for which President Joe Biden announced a watered-down framework Thursday morning.

Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.), known for incorporating props for major hearings, used M&M's in clear jars to highlight the difference in Shell's near-term spending on renewable energy versus oil, gas, and chemical operations.

Fossil Free Media director Jamie Henn said that in her allotted time, the congresswoman "eviscerates the executives… for their greenwashing and lobbying against climate action."

Porter also addressed leasing public lands to fossil fuel companies—which Biden has so far failed to end, despite his campaign promises.

"When are you going to cut the check?" Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) asked Chevron CEO Michael Wirth, accusing the company of owing over $50 billion in judgment and settlement debts to communities in 31 countries for "poisoning the planet."

Tlaib also called out Chevron for trying to intimidate Steven Donziger, an American human rights attorney now serving a six-month prison sentence that stems from the oil major targeting him because he sought justice for Indigenous people enduring industry pollution in Ecuador.

Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) blasted Big Oil for pouring money into not only political lobbying but also shadow groups "to fight against our climate justice efforts" while Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) shamed the executives for pushing fossil fuels "despite knowing that promoting them means promoting environmental racism and violence in Black and Brown communities."

"Fossil fuel companies have polluted our air, land, and water for profit despite knowing the devastating impact it has on our [communities]," Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) similarly highlighted.

"As one of my colleagues said earlier, I hope that you are ashamed of the future that you contributed for your children and for ours," she told the executives, "and I ask all of you to resign."

Reflecting on the hearing Thursday, Henn wrote that "it was inspiring to see so many Democrats standing up to Big Oil."

"From Rep. Porter using M&Ms to show the industry's paltry investments in renewables to Rep. Bush calling out the industry for its environmental racism and white supremacy, this is the type of leadership that climate activists have been hungry for," Henn continued.

"Let's hope that this sort of bravery is contagious and spreads all the way to the Oval Office," he added, "where President Biden has yet to use the executive authorities at his disposal to truly take on Big Oil and stop the federal approval for dangerous fossil fuel products."

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