Tag: climate change

  • Kamala Harris Announces Governor Tim Walz as 2024 Running Mate

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    August 6, 2024

    Contact:
    Valentina Stackl, valentina@priceofoil.org

    In response to reports of Kamala Harris’s selecting Tim Walz as her vice presidential candidate, Collin Rees, Political Director of Oil Change U.S., said:

    “Kamala Harris picking Tim Walz as her running mate is an encouraging sign that she’s willing to listen to the Democratic base. Walz’s collaboration with a progressive legislature in Minnesota has led to significant wins for working people, including important climate victories with a 100% carbon-free by 2040 law and a $2 billion climate spending program. At the same time, his lack of action to stop the Line 3 pipeline shows a troubling deference to fossil fuel interests. This campaign is an opportunity for Walz to put people before fossil fuel profits. 

    “The Harris-Walz campaign must continue to be bold and put forward a visionary agenda to address the climate crisis and end fossil fuels with a just transition. Our future hinges on leaders who will prioritize transitioning away from fossil fuels and tackling the climate crisis with urgency.” 

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    Oil Change U.S. is a national organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels, supporting real climate leadership, and building a just, equitable, and renewable energy future in the United States. Oil Change U.S. is one of several organizations that coordinates the national No Fossil Fuel Money pledge and the national Green New Deal Champions campaign. For more information, please visit OilChangeUS.org.

  • National Environmental Groups Endorse Aaron Regunberg for U.S. House, RI-01

    For Immediate Release

    Contact: 
    Allie Rosenbluth, allie@priceofoil.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Aaron Regunberg for U.S. House, RI-01

    WASHINGTON — Today, Oil Change U.S., Center for Biological Diversity Action, Food & Water Action, and Friends of the Earth Action announced their endorsement of Aaron Regunberg for Rhode Island’s First Congressional district.

    As State Representative, Regunberg was among the first state elected officials to speak out against a fracked gas power plant in Burrillville, which was eventually defeated. He also helped fight a proposed LNG export terminal in Providence.

    The groups join other climate and progressive groups including Progressive Democrats of America, Climate Hawks Vote, Jane Fonda Climate PAC and Climate Action Rhode Island. Together, these national progressive environmental groups represent tens of thousands of Rhode Island voters. 

    Allie Rosenbluth, Oil Change U.S. Campaigns Director, offered the following statement:

    “As communities across the country experience devastating impacts of climate change and the United States remains world’s the largest expander of oil and gas, it’s clear we need more leaders in congress ready to take on the fossil fuel industry. Oil Change U.S. is excited to endorse Aaron Regunberg, who has the experience and commitment to bold climate action Rhode Island and the country needs.”

    Stephanie Kurose, Northeast Political Director of the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, offered the following statement:

    “Aaron Regunberg cares deeply about solving the issues of eastern Rhode Island communities, from fighting for environmental justice to confronting the climate emergency. He’s exactly the type of bold, progressive leader we need in Congress and we’re honored to endorse him.”

    Ariel Moger, Government and Political Affairs Director of Friends of the Earth Action, offered the following statement:

    “We are thrilled to endorse Aaron Regunberg for Congress. Aaron is no stranger to holding Big Oil accountable and is not afraid to take much-needed urgent action to address the climate crisis. Rhode Islanders can count on Aaron to be a bold environmental champion and we urge them to support him this September.”

    Sam Bernhardt, Political Director of Food & Water Action, offered the following statement:

    “Aaron is a climate leader who has gone toe-to-toe with the fossil fuel industry in Rhode Island for years. We will work hard to get Aaron elected so he can represent his constituents and this critical movement against fossil fuels in the halls of Congress.”

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    Oil Change U.S. is a national organization focused on exposing the true costs of fossil fuels, supporting real climate leadership, and building a just, equitable, and renewable energy future in the United States. Oil Change U.S. is one of several organizations that coordinates the national No Fossil Fuel Money pledge. For more information, please visit OilChangeUS.org.

  • Oil Change U.S. and Progressive Groups Announce ‘Green New Deal Champions’ Pledge

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 28, 2022

    Contact:
    Collin Rees, Oil Change U.S., collin@priceofoil.org
    Ellen Sciales, Sunrise Movement, ellen@sunrisemovement.org

    Progressive Groups Announce ‘Green New Deal Champions’ Pledge

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, nearly 50 organizations launched the Green New Deal Champions Pledge, aimed at pushing candidates to champion the climate policy we need when in office, and to hold current members accountable to a standard of support for the Green New Deal. 

    It’s been three years since Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey introduced the Green New Deal Resolution, which outlined a new vision for our country and our movement: one where we avert the worst of the climate crisis, create millions of good paying union jobs, and invest in communities on the front line of the climate crisis.  

    Since then, multiple pieces of substantial climate legislation, guided by communities at the frontlines of the climate crisis, have been introduced that build towards the Green New Deal. We know we need to win federal climate legislation to tackle this crisis, but we can’t wait until we have the right majorities in Congress to get to work. We need to do everything we can right now, to pressure our elected officials to support the bills that will put us on the path to a Green New Deal —  that’s how we’ll set ourselves up to win legislation when the moment comes. The text of the Green New Deal Champions Pledge can be found here.

    The Green New Deal continues to be popular with voters across the country. Recent polling from Data for Progress shows that Green New Deal bills have overwhelming support, while young people, a key voting block for Democrats, continue to support climate legislation and action by massive margins. The Green New Deal Pledge is expected to have the same effect as the popular No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge, which has changed the nature of campaigning since its establishment by toxifying money from fossil fuel lobbyists, PACs, and executives.

    Progressive movement groups, sitting electeds, and congressional candidates issued the following statements on the pledge: 

    Quote Sheet

    “I’m proud to sign this pledge. Our generation will be facing the repercussions of the climate policy decisions we make in the years to come. We deserve representatives who are accountable to their constituents, not fossil fuel companies,” said Nida Allam, congressional candidate in NC-04. 

    “Texas working families are seeing the climate crisis first-hand — whether it’s winter storms, flooding, or tornadoes in our backyards. We need to tackle this crisis. We can create good union jobs and preserve our planet for future generations. The Green New Deal does both,” said Greg Casar, congressional candidate in TX-35. 

    “I’m proud to sign the Green New Deal pledge. Our communities here in Chicago are in crisis — climate change is an existential threat, racial and economic injustices are raging. We need bold solutions like the Green New Deal that will combat climate change, environmental racism, and the injustices that persist in Chicago. And we need a new generation of leaders who will fight for the Green New Deal with the urgency that this moment demands,” said Kina Collins, congressional candidate in IL-07. 

    “My community is hurting. The climate crisis has claimed lives and livelihoods. A rigged economy has left us with wages that are stagnant, businesses closing, and new job opportunities few and far between. The Green New Deal takes on the defining challenges of our time and transforms them into the pathway to a brighter future. For the air I breathe, for the people I love, and for the place I call home, I’m taking the Green New Deal pledge and look forward to supporting this legislation in Congress,” said Erica Smith, congressional candidate in NC-01. 

    “The Green New Deal is about jobs, justice, and dismantling systemic racism that’s poisoning the lungs and futures of Black and Brown people in St. Louis and all across the country. We need to act now, and that means making sure politicians understand the urgency of this crisis. I’m proud to be part of an effort to hold people in positions of power accountable to the solutions we know are needed to address environmental racism, confront the fossil fuel industry, and realize true climate justice,” said U.S. Rep. Cori Bush of MO-01. 

    “I am immensely proud to be an original Green New Deal Champion with an amazing list of colleagues and friends. It is easy to say that climate change is an existential crisis, but words aren’t enough — we need real legislation that delivers rapid, comprehensive, transformative change. While organizers continue to strengthen and define the Green New Deal from the bottom, this project holds those in power accountable to the demands of activists and cements robust economic and racial justice standards in the Green New Deal. We have a long way to go, but I encourage every Congressperson to join me in taking this next step. Together, we will win a Green New Deal this decade,” said U.S. Rep. Andy Levin of MI-09. 

    “Since I introduced the Green New Deal with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez, the climate crisis has only become more severe. We have to act now to deliver justice for communities on the frontlines of this crisis and create millions of green-collar jobs to save our economy and save our planet. I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in the House and Senate, and with an entire generation committed to climate justice,” said in the fight for a Green New Deal,” said U.S. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. 

    “The threat posed by the climate crisis is growing by the day and we need to come together to take aggressive action to create a more sustainable economy and promote environmental justice. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Green New Deal resolution and I will keep fighting to pass my BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act to deliver robust federal investment to help fight the growing climate crisis, spur innovation, and boost demand for American-made clean energy products,” said U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. 

    “The Green New Deal Champions effort provides an exciting opportunity to advance a transformative agenda to end the fossil era, help working people, and catalyze a just energy transition. Rejecting fossil fuel money and committing to these key bills to phase out fossil fuels and build an equitable clean energy future are now clear requirements for politicians claiming the mantle of ‘climate leadership.’ With dozens of critical primary and general elections this year, we’ll see which candidates and elected officials are truly willing to stand up to Big Oil and Gas’s lies and fight for our communities,” said Collin Rees, Political Director at Oil Change U.S.

    “There is no denying that the climate crisis is at our doorsteps and continues to disproportionately devastate young, Black, brown, and immigrant communities both in the U.S. and around the world. From undocumented farmworkers facing increasingly deadly wildfires in places like California to millions of climate refugees displaced by extreme flooding, droughts, and other disasters, it’s clear that there is no climate justice without immigrant justice and racial justice. The Green New Deal Resolution, alone, is not enough to combat the worsening climate catastrophe. In order to ensure ALL communities are protected, elected officials must also deliver on other bold, progressive legislation that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented people without growing detention and enforcement, like the Dream and Promise Act, and helps pave the way for a more just future for Black and brown immigrant communities bearing the brunt of climate change,” said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Senior Advocacy Manager of United We Dream. 

    “The Green New Deal means robust public investment to transition off of fossil fuels translating into unprecedented investment in the well-being of everyday working people — our jobs, our utility bills, our health, and our future. The GND Pledge allows us to show candidates and the world what support for a Green New Deal really means, and allows us to talk about how the GND will deliver for working people. The Working Families Party is proud to support it,” said Maurice Mitchell, National Director of Working Families Party. 

    “As fossil fuel corporations destroy our communities and profit off of working families at the gas pump, our government has yet to pass climate legislation that meets the moment of crisis. And yet, support for the Green New Deal has never been greater. That’s why we’re launching Green New Deal Champions because we need members of Congress and elected officials to fight as hard as they can for the Green New Deal. We must pass the climate bills that make the GND a reality — the GND Resolution is our North Star and the GND bills help us get there,” said Varshini Prakash, Executive Director of Sunrise Movement.

    The list of current Green New Deal Champions, Green New Deal Pledge Signers, and endorsing organizations are below: 

    Members of Congress Who Are Current Green New Deal Champions: 

    – Sen. Ed Markey (MA)

    – Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA)

    – Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT)

    – Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17)

    – Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    – Rep. Marie Newman (IL-03)

    – Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04)

    – Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) 

    – Rep. Jim McGovern (MA-02)

    – Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    – Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08)

    – Rep. Andy Levin (MI-09)

    – Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-13)

    – Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05)

    – Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01)

    – Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY-10)

    – Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY-12)

    – Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14)

    – Rep. Jamaal Bowman (NY-16)

    – Rep. Mondaire Jones (NY-17)

    – Rep. Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)

    – Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07)

    Congressional Candidates Who Have Signed the Green New Deal Champions Pledge: 

    – David Peterson (CA-03)

    – Bianca Von Krieg (CA-11)

    – Derek Marshall (CA-23)

    – Angelica Dueñas (CA-29)

    – Shervin Aazami (CA-32)

    – David Kim (CA-34)

    – Daniel Lee (CA-37)

    – Peter Mathews (CA-42)

    – Michael Ortega (CA-46)

    – Adam Schindler (CA-50)

    – Kylie Taitano (CA-50)

    – Neal Walia (CO-01)

    – Rebekah Jones (FL-01)

    – Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10)

    – Cindy Banyai (FL-19)

    – Vincent Fort (GA-13)

    – Kirby Birgans (IL-01)

    – Jahmal Cole (IL-01)

    – Iymen Chehade (IL-03)

    – Delia Ramirez (IL-03)

    – Kina Collins (IL-07)

    – Junaid Ahmed (IL-08)

    – Attica Scott (KY-03)

    – Mckayla Wilkes (MD-05)

    – Shri Thanedar (MI-13)

    – Ernest Joseph Oppegaard-Peltier III (MN-07)

    – Erica Smith (NC-01)

    – Nida Allam (NC-04)

    – Ashley Ward (NC-04)

    – David Ocampo Grajales (NJ-08)

    – Imani Oakley (NJ-10)

    – Melanie D’Arrigo (NY-03)

    – Rana Abdelhamid (NY-12)

    – Vanessa Fajans-Turner (NY-22)

    – Nina Turner (OH-11)

    – Sami Al-Abdrabbuh (OR-04)

    – Doyle Canning (OR-04)

    – Alexandra Hunt (PA-03)

    – Summer Lee (PA-12)

    – David Segal (RI-02)

    – Jessica Cisneros (TX-28)

    – Greg Casar (TX-35)

    – Ally Dalsimer (VA-11)

    – Kesha Ram Hinsdale (VT-AL)

    – Jason Call (WA-02)

    – Stephanie Gallardo (WA-09)

    Green New Deal Champions Partner Organizations: 

    – 350 Action

    – Alliance for Youth Action

    – American Federation of Teachers 

    – Association of Flight Attendants – Communications Workers of America

    – Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation

    – Caring Across Generations

    – Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund

    – Center for Popular Democracy

    – Chesapeake Climate Action Network Action Fund

    – Climate Hawks Vote

    – Climate Justice Alliance

    – Common Defense

    – Dogwood Alliance

    – Food & Water Action

    – Friends of the Earth Action

    – Future Coalition

    – Gen-Z for Change

    – Grassroots Global Justice Alliance

    – Green New Deal Network

    – GreenFaith

    – GreenLatinos

    – Greenpeace USA

    – Indigenous Environmental Network

    – Indivisible

    – Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

    – Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition

    – Labor Network for Sustainability

    – March For Our Lives

    – Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition Action!

    – Mothers Out Front 

    – National Domestic Workers Alliance

    – Native Organizers Alliance

    – NDN Collective

    – New York Renews

    – Oil Change U.S.

    – Our Climate

    – Our Revolution

    – People’s Action

    – Progressive Democrats of America

    – Public Citizen

    – RuralOrganizing.org 

    – Social Security Works

    – Sunrise Movement

    – United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America (UE)

    – United We Dream Action

    – WE ACT for Environmental Justice

    – Working Families Party

    – Zero Hour

    ###

  • Fossil fuel industry in the hot seat at CNN Climate Town Hall

    It’s been a few days since the CNN Climate Town Hall marathon of climate discussion wrapped up, and we’ve had a moment to catch our collective breath, read the hot-takes, and think about what it was that we spent seven hours of our life watching. Here are a few takeaways we here at Oil Change think are worth highlighting…

    It was basically good!

    The Climate Town Hall was, by and large, better than expected. We had been worried about potentially awful questions, boring or weak responses from candidates, and little or no drama or interesting moments. And for the most part we got the opposite. The questions — particularly from audience members — were generally thoughtful, save for a few questions about hamburgers, straws, or light bulbs that we would do without. Likewise, the responses from candidates were mostly passionate and engaging, and there were several 2020 contenders seemingly competing to give the most ambitious answers. And finally, we saw some drama, which we’ll get to below.

    My colleague Collin summed up the sentiments of many about how far the discussion has come:

    “Cancel culture takes aim at oil and gas industry.” 

    Some of the best questions from audience members and CNN hosts were about policies and plans to ramp down fossil fuel production in the United States. Oil Change International analysis has shown two important things: First, existing fossil fuel projects around the globe have more oil, gas, and coal beneath them than we can afford to burn if we want to meet our climate goals; second, the oil and gas industry is eyeing a massive expansion of production in the United States over the coming decades. Something has to give, and our next president needs to stand up for communities and the climate by implementing a just and managed phase-out of fossil fuel production. Two critical questions during the CNN Climate Town Hall helped to draw this out:

      • Near unanimous support from candidates for ending new fossil fuel leasing on public lands and offshore waters. This is a major win for local communities and a climate movement that has been fighting for this federal action since the Obama years and before. Fossil fuels from public lands account for nearly a quarter of U.S. emissions, so this is an important step toward a full phase-out of fossil fuel extraction.
      • Majority support for a ban on fracking. While Senator Klobuchar went so far as to parrot the fossil fuel industry talking point of gas as a bridge fuel, most other candidates who were asked if they supported a fracking ban expressed support for banning this dangerous extraction process that is driving an out-of-control expansion of oil and gas production in the U.S.

    In general, we saw a new and appropriately combative posture towards the fossil fuel industry from many candidates throughout the night. As Vox put it, the oil and gas industry (and I would add coal) was a “loser” in the Climate Town Hall. This is a very good thing. We know that we already have more fossil fuels under active production than our climate can afford, and there is no room for negotiation with an industry that has been blocking progress, buying off politicians, and obscuring science to protect their profits for decades.

    In the past we’ve seen candidates at all levels suggesting a softer approach towards this industry or even putting forth industry-endorsed plans, but this time there were multiple candidates talking about holding this rogue industry to account, through lawsuits for lying to shareholders and the public, ending fossil fuel subsidies, charging them for their pollution, and more.

    Journalist Antonia Juhasz summed it up well:

    And, as Dave Weigel of the Washington Post put it, “Democrats are done with ‘all of the above’ energy.” Good riddance.

    The No Fossil Fuel Money pledge has a (viral) moment.

    As alluded to above, there was also some drama amidst the climate plan specifics and bold, anti-industry positions. During former Vice President Joe Biden’s segment, Isaac Larkin, a young activist affiliated with the Sunrise Movement, was given the mic to ask a question about Biden’s ties to the fossil fuel industry. Isaac challenged Biden on the fact that, despite having taken the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, Biden was set to attend a fundraiser hosted by a fossil fuel company founder the very next day (as revealed by CNBC earlier in the day). 

    Biden was simultaneously rattled by the question and armed with a talking point using a technicality in the pledge’s rules to maintain he was not breaking his pledge. The question and answer is worth a complete viewing, found here:

    I posted a thread of tweets responding to this exchange, clarifying that while it may technically be the case that the fundraiser didn’t break the letter of the rules spelled out in the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, it clearly goes against the pledge’s spirit (click the tweet for the full thread):

    This exchange quickly became the most talked-about moment of the entire seven hours. The issue was covered by the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, Politico, CNBC, Vox, Huffington Post, the Associated Press, Reuters, Bloomberg, and many more. In essentially every outlet, the conclusions were the same: If a candidate intends to stand up to the fossil fuel industry, it’s probably not a good look to have a fossil fuel company founder, host a high-dollar fundraiser to benefit your campaign (even if they may not technically be an executive at the company).

    More broadly, the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge has clearly become a minimum standard for being considered a leading candidate for the Democratic party nomination. Every single one of the participants in the CNN Climate Town Hall had taken the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, and several spoke about standing up to the fossil fuel industry and breaking its grip on Washington. And it’s no surprise — voters are sick and tired of the way the fossil fuel industry is delaying progress on our climate crisis, and they are demanding that their elected officials stand up to this out-of-control industry in defense of our communities and our climate.

     

    One final lesson we can draw from the CNN Climate Town Hall is that seven hours of discussion only scratched the surface. Our climate crisis touches every aspect of society and politics, and thanks to solid questions and mostly-prepared candidates, we saw that a robust conversation of the climate crisis is both possible and essential.

    With the CNN Climate Town Hall success, #ClimateStrikes coming up in under two weeks, another climate forum hosted by MSNBC, and climate plans being dropped on a near day-to-day basis, the climate crisis has finally landed in the very center of the political discourse. It’s about time.

  • Response to climate plans from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Tom Steyer

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    July 25, 2019

    CONTACT:
    David Turnbull, david [at] priceofoil.org

    Oil Change U.S. response to climate plans released by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Tom Steyer

    Today, presidential contenders Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Tom Steyer each released their climate plans, both of which include a commitment to end fossil fuel subsidies and to phase out fossil fuel production in the United States. In response, David Turnbull, Strategic Communications Director at Oil Change U.S., issued the following statement:

    “Today’s climate plans released by Senator Gillibrand and Tom Steyer continue the important trend of new Democratic Presidential climate plans that pull no punches and choose to take on the fossil fuel industry directly. Importantly, both plans from Gillibrand and Steyer call for an end to fossil fuel subsidies, an end to the issuance of new leases for fossil fuel production on public lands and waters, and a wind down of fossil fuel production.

    “It wasn’t too long ago that Presidential campaign climate plans were built on vague promises to achieve unclear goals with no reference to the fossil fuel industry that is causing our climate crisis. That time has passed and today’s plans from Gillibrand and Steyer are the latest examples.

    “It’s heartening to see both Senator Gillibrand and Tom Steyer join the majority of their fellow candidates in recognizing that addressing our climate crisis means standing up to the industry at the heart of the problem. This is just the type of bold action candidates are free to propose when they rip off the shackles of the fossil fuel industry by rejecting its money and influence on their campaigns.

    “These types of plans to take on the fossil fuel industry and its dirty ways by keeping fossil fuels in the ground are precisely what we need Democratic candidates to be discussing from the stump and the debate stage. That’s why we stand alongside allies across the progressive movement to call on the Democratic Party to hold a debate centered on the climate crisis. We look forward to other candidates for president laying out their plans, and for the Democratic Party to give this critical issue the time and depth of discussion it deserves.”

    ###

    Notes to Editors:

    – Sen. Gillibrand’s full policy paper can be found here:
    https://medium.com/team-gillibrand/my-plan-to-tackle-climate-change-751ba2ae59e6

    – Tom Steyer’s climate plan can be found here: https://www.tomsteyer.com/climate-plan-framework/

    – Research by Oil Change International has found that without government action to limit fossil fuel production, including on public lands, the U.S. is poised for a massive expansion of drilling and carbon pollution: http://priceofoil.org/2019/01/16/report-drilling-towards-disaster/

  • Groups Demanding a DNC Climate Debate: An Outside Summit Forum Is No Alternative

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    July 12, 2019

    CONTACT:
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil.org

    Groups Demanding a DNC Climate Debate: An Outside Summit Forum Is No Alternative

    In response to news that The New Republic, Gizmodo, and Columbia’s Earth Institute will be hosting a presidential candidate climate summit, the coalition of progressive and environmental groups who collected over 220,000 petition signatures demanding a climate debate released the following statement. The statement, signed by CREDO Action, Climate Hawks Vote, Amazon Watch, Bold Alliance, Oil Change U.S., NextGen America, 350 Action, Sunrise Movement, US Youth Climate Strike, Friends of the Earth Action, and Chesapeake Climate Action Network, reads:

    “Any serious attention being given to the climate crisis is welcome and needed, but a third-party summit is no alternative to an official DNC debate that would reach millions of voters. We need a meaningful debate that will push candidates beyond talking points and press each one for specific plans to take on the fossil fuel industry, confront environmental racism, scale up renewable energy and help communities meet the climate crisis. Brian Kahn and Emily Atkin, both excellent climate journalists and organizers of this summit, agree with us that they’d prefer a debate.

    “Outside groups shouldn’t have to pick up the DNC’s slack when it comes to addressing the existential threat of climate change. Tom Perez and the DNC need to create a platform for real solutions to the climate crisis and it must put young people and those on the front lines at the core of the debate.

    “Our message to Tom Perez is this: Start listening to the leading Democratic presidential candidates, DNC membership, and more than 200,000 Americans who have called for a climate debate. We will keep getting louder until you do. We can’t afford to wait any longer to start taking climate change seriously.”

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    PAID FOR BY OIL CHANGE U.S., WWW.OILCHANGEUS.ORG, NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE, CANDIDATE’S AUTHORIZED POLITICAL COMMITTEE, OR CANDIDATE’S AGENTS.

  • Oil Change U.S. response to first set of Democratic presidential debates

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    June 27, 2019

    CONTACT:
    David Turnbull, david [at] priceofoil.org
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil.org

    Oil Change U.S. response to first set of Democratic presidential debates

    In response to the first two nights of the Democratic presidential debates, David Turnbull, Strategic Communications Director of Oil Change U.S., provided the following comment:

    “The first two nights of Democratic debates proved one thing when it comes to the climate crisis: We need a Climate Debate.

    “Despite some candidates’ attempts to tie in the climate crisis to questions on other topics, the mere fifteen minutes of debate directly focused on the climate crisis of 240 minutes total — a paltry six percent of debate time — didn’t scratch the surface of the robust discussion that the crisis deserves.

    “Climate change is now a top tier issue for Democratic voters according to numerous polls. Eighteen of the twenty candidates onstage this week have taken the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge. Many of them support a Green New Deal, eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, ending fossil fuel leasing on public lands, and an end to fracking. But we didn’t hear these crucial facts, because the debate moderators didn’t spend the time needed to dive into the critical details of the candidates’ plans to tackle the climate crisis.

    “The climate questions asked were far too simplistic, and missed the chance to challenge candidates to demonstrate how committed they are to tackling the climate crisis, and what their plans are to take on the fossil fuel industry. The only thing we learned about the climate crisis this week was that we need a DNC-sanctioned climate debate, moderated by journalists who understand the issue.”

    ###

    Note for Editors:

    – The full list of No Fossil Fuel Money pledge signers can be found here: http://nofossilfuelmoney.org/presidential-signers/

  • Joe Biden, Michael Bennet become 19th and 20th signers of No Fossil Fuel Money pledge in 2020 Democratic field

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    June 27, 2019

    CONTACT:
    David Turnbull, david [at] priceofoil.org
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil.org

    Joe Biden, Michael Bennet become 19th and 20th signers of No Fossil Fuel Money pledge in 2020 Democratic field

    Today, former Vice President Joe Biden officially signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, becoming the 20th of 24 major Democratic candidates for president to sign the pledge. Senator Michael Bennet also signed the pledge on Tuesday evening, becoming the 19th presidential candidate signer. In response, David Turnbull, Strategic Communications Director of Oil Change U.S., released the following statement: 

    “We congratulate Vice President Biden and Senator Bennet for signing the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge and for this example of climate leadership that prioritizes people over polluters. Rejecting the fossil fuel industry’s money has become standard practice among Democratic presidential contenders, and not a moment too soon.

    “At the first Democratic primary debates, 18 of the 20 candidates onstage have committed to reject dirty money from fossil fuel executives, lobbyists, and corporate PACs. We are already seeing candidates across the field translate that bold stance against Big Oil into policy proposals and Day One actions that are appropriate in ambition and scale to our unfolding climate emergency. Ending the fossil fuel industry’s expansion, removing its billions in taxpayer subsidies, and kickstarting a managed transition that puts workers and communities ahead of polluter profits — these are the hallmarks of real climate leadership.”

    ###

    Notes to Editors: 

    – Former Vice President Biden is the 20th major presidential candidate to sign the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge. A confirmation of Biden signing the pledge can be found here: https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1144357988523659264

    – Senator Michael Bennet was the 19th major presidential candidate to sign. A confirmation of Bennet signing the pledge can be found here: https://twitter.com/NoFossilMoney/status/1143929545516617729

    – The full list of presidential signers can be found here: http://nofossilfuelmoney.org/presidential-signers/

    – The four remaining major Democratic presidential candidates who have not signed the pledge are Governor Steve Bullock, former Rep. John Delaney, former Gov. John Hickenlooper, and former Rep. Joe Sestak.

    – The pledge is coordinated jointly by the No Fossil Fuel Money coalition, of which Oil Change U.S. is a member.

  • 60 Questions We Could Ask at a #ClimateDebate

    This week, Tom Perez, the Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), informed Jay Inslee (and later the public via Twitter) that the DNC does not plan to host a climate debate. This comes after over half a dozen top-tier candidates have expressed a desire for such a debate, and hundreds of thousands of young people and voters signed petitions demanding one as well. It comes after multiple polls have shown that the climate crisis is one of the very top concerns of Democratic voters, and major candidates have released a raft of robust climate plans more detailed than ever before in a presidential primary.

    In the aftermath of the DNC’s out-of-touch and premature refusal, young people, voters, advocates, and some candidates themselves have doubled down in their demands, unwilling to take no for an answer. Oil Change U.S. is proud to stand with the youth of this country and with our partners and continue demanding a dedicated debate on candidates’ plans to confront the fossil fuel industry and address the mounting climate crisis.

    As news of the denial broke, #ClimateDebate began to trend on Twitter, and the DNC apparently went to work recruiting surrogates to defend the decision and attack proponents of the idea. They trotted out tired arguments such as not having enough time to devote full debates to specific issues, and hard-to-believe assurances that climate change will get its due attention during the usual debates (particularly hard to swallow given the history of climate change discussions in previous debates, as outlined by Lisa Hymas from Media Matters for America here).

    But one argument from some really stuck out as so beyond the pale that it deserves some attention. The suggestion was that there simply is not enough to ask candidates about to fill an entire debate on the climate crisis.

    [I’ll pause here to allow you to stop laughing and compose yourself.]

    This is obviously a ridiculous assertion that shouldn’t need a response, but it got us wondering…off the top of our heads, just how many questions could we come up with that we’d like to see candidates asked about the climate crisis? So we made a list. To spare you from being forced to read a novel on climate wonkery, we decided to limit it to 60…enough to ask one question per minute for a full hour, although each of these deserve to be discussed at far greater length.

    In no particular order, and undoubtedly still missing many critical questions…

    1. What do you think is the single most important step you can take as president to show leadership on the climate crisis?
    2. Have you signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge? Why or why not?
    3. Describe your plan to put the United States on a managed decline of fossil fuel production in line with climate science.
    4. What do you believe are the key elements of a just transition for workers and communities as we move our economy away from fossil fuels?
    5. Please describe how the principles of environmental justice and concerns from low income communities, frontline communities, indigenous communities, and communities of color will be heard and incorporated in the planning and implementation of your climate agenda?
    6. By when do you believe the US should strive to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions?
    7. Please describe how you would ensure the US lives up to the bedrock principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and capabilities as outlined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate change?
    8. After you commit the United States to rejoining the Paris Agreement, what will your next step on the international stage be?
    9. What do you believe is the appropriate level of ambition for the United States’ next revision to its Nationally Determined Contribution to the Paris Agreement?
    10. Describe an action you’ve taken in your career in public service that you believe has been most beneficial to our climate fight.
    11. What level of funding do you believe is appropriate for the United States to contribute to the Green Climate Fund annually?
    12. How will you work with G20 nations to finally live up to the decade-old commitment to end fossil fuel subsidies?
    13. How will you take action to ensure our public lands are put to public good rather than used to dig up more fossil fuels?
    14. In your climate plans, what do you believe can be done through executive action alone, and what will need Congressional action?
    15. In order to get climate policy through Congress, will you support eliminating the filibuster? If not, what is your strategy to obtain 60 votes in the Senate?
    16. Do you support the immediate elimination of federal fossil fuel subsidies?
    17. Do you believe granting oil industry actors immunity from being tried for climate crimes is worth trading away to attract their support for a modest price on carbon that will not promote serious emission reductions?
    18. What lessons can you take from existing cap and trade policies in California and elsewhere to ensure communities at the fencelines of major emitters are protected from local pollution impacts?
    19. How would you define the “Green New Deal” and what role would it play in your administration?
    20. The Permian basin in Texas and New Mexico is set to see the largest increase in oil and gas development in the world over the coming years unless there is some intervention. How would you work with those states to ensure such a dangerous increase in production will be curtailed?
    21. A number of you voted in Congress to eliminate the crude oil export ban. Do you regret that vote? Do you support reinstating the crude oil export ban?
    22. How would you reform the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to ensure it accounts for the climate impacts of natural gas infrastructure in its permitting process?
    23. The Obama administration’s Council on Environmental Quality issued guidance to incorporate climate impacts in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process agencies undergo in consideration of infrastructure projects, which Trump has since rescinded. Would you reinstate that guidance, and/or how would you strengthen it?
    24. Do you support a “Climate Test” for fossil fuel projects?
    25. What can the US do to help shift global financial flows toward clean energy, and away from dirty energy?
    26. How should the US support international climate action through its overseas climate and development finance?
    27. Describe your intended approach to engaging major emerging economies such as China, India, and/or Brazil in partnering with them to achieve climate goals.
    28. Do you support enacting a ban on exporting liquified natural gas?
    29. How will you address the increasing petrochemicals and plastics production in the United States as it relates to our climate crisis?
    30. How will you engage young people in developing and implementing your climate policy agenda?
    31. Do you believe companies like Exxon should be held accountable for lying to the public and shareholders about the dangers of their product and business model as it relates to the growing climate crisis?
    32. What do you believe is the best approach to address emissions related to deforestation?
    33. What do you say to the members of Congress who still deny the realities of the climate crisis?
    34. Do you support the rights of state Governors and governments to reject permits for fossil fuel projects via Section 401 of the Clean Water Act? If so, how will you go about protecting that right from future assaults such as that attempted by President Trump?
    35. Do you support the overturning of President Trump’s executive order forcing the approval of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline project? If so, how will you ensure the proposed pipeline is put to bed permanently?
    36. How will you approach working with cities and communities who will face sea level rise (e.g. Miami) in supporting their residents as climate impacts grow more disruptive?
    37. What deadline would you set for phasing out internal combustion engine passenger vehicles, and what approach would you take to achieve it?
    38. Do you believe the Republican Party will ever rid itself of the influence of the fossil fuel industry and support legitimate and robust climate action?
    39. How would you adjust transportation policy to ensure cities and states are supported in pursuing public transportation?
    40. How would you adjust agricultural policy in the United States to support climate efforts? How would you include the voices and concerns of farmers, ranchers, and rural communities in ensuring a just transition away from fossil fuels?
    41. What key improvements to U.S. trade policy would you make to align it with our climate imperatives?
    42. Describe how you will deploy public finance for renewable energy to leverage private finance at home and abroad?
    43. What is your view on carbon capture and storage (CCS)?
    44. How would you work with the Energy Information Agency to ensure their energy modeling better guides work to incorporate more renewable energy onto the US grid?
    45. How would you reform the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation to ensure their investments are aligned with climate imperatives?
    46. It is estimated that the military spends anywhere from $10.5 to $500 billion annually to secure oil supply overseas. How would you reign in these activities?
    47. Will you instruct the Department of Justice to drop the Government’s request to throw out the Juliana v. United States lawsuit and allow it to go to trial?
    48. What will you be looking for as you fill the positions of Secretary of the Interior, EPA Administrator, Secretary of Energy, Secretary of State and heads of other agencies directly related to our climate efforts?
    49. Do you believe that natural gas – also known as fossil gas, and much of it derived from fracking – is a “bridge fuel” in our climate efforts or that it is a “bridge to climate disaster”?
    50. Do you support a national ban on fracking?
    51. How would you reform campaign finance law to ensure the voices of people are heard over the dollars of fossil fuel companies and other big corporations?
    52. What is your view of new laws that have been passed in multiple states (and proposed by the Trump administration) to promote harsh penalties for protests of oil and gas infrastructure? How will you protect communities’ rights to protest dangerous infrastructure in their communities?
    53. Would you work to repeal the 45Q tax credit, which is used mostly by the oil industry to gain tax credits for injecting CO2 into the ground in order to dig up more oil?
    54. Do you support ending the use of eminent domain for private gain, including the taking of private land to construct oil and gas pipelines owned by private and foreign companies?
    55. How will you adjust U.S. immigration policy to react to the inevitable increase in refugees seeking shelter from climate impacts across the globe?
    56. Do you support ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to phase down hydrofluorocarbons, a key short-lived climate pollutant?
    57. Do you support removing fossil fuel industry actors from the UN climate negotiations, as has been done with tobacco industry actors in tobacco treaty talks?
    58. Will you acknowledge the rights and sovereignty of Indigenous peoples to protect their traditional lands and waters from fossil fuel extraction and infrastructure projects? How will you work with tribes and nations to achieve this goal?
    59. Do you support a carbon tax? If so, why? If not, why not?
    60. How will you engage the labor movement to ensure they are a key part in our clean energy revolution and that jobs in the burgeoning renewable energy sector are quality union jobs?

    You probably get the point. The climate crisis is one of the most urgent issues facing the world today. The answers to these questions matter.

    The Democratic primary process needs a chance for voters to hear directly from 2020 candidates on how they plan to tackle the fossil fuel industry, supercharge a just transition to 100% renewable energy, hold climate criminals accountable, and invest trillions in the health and safety of our communities and the climate matters. There’s a major gap between the worst climate plan in the Democratic primary and the best few. And voters have made it clear they want to learn more about these differences.

    Join us and demand a #ClimateDebate from the DNC – in the face of climate crisis, it’s needed now more than ever.

     

  • Sen. Harris becomes 15th No Fossil Fuel Money pledge signer in 2020 Democratic field

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    JUNE 1, 2019

    Contact:
    David Turnbull, david@priceofoil.org
    RL Miller, rlm@climatehawksvote.com

    Sen. Harris becomes 15th No Fossil Fuel Money pledge signer in 2020 Democratic field

    Today, during the California Democratic Party convention, Senator Kamala Harris officially signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, becoming the 15th of 23 major Democratic candidates for president to sign the pledge. In response, No Fossil Fuel Money pledge coalition members released the following statements:

    David Turnbull, Strategic Communications Director, Oil Change U.S.:
    “We applaud Senator Harris for showing the courage to stand up to the fossil fuel industry by signing the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge. In joining 14 of her fellow candidates for president, Senator Harris is putting the fossil fuel industry on notice. The next president of the United States must reject the grip of the fossil fuel industry on our politics and our climate, and signing the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge is a key first step.

    “With nearly two-thirds of the field – including 8 out of 10 of the top-polling candidates – now having signed the pledge, chances are high that the Democratic nominee for president will have committed to reject Big Oil’s dirty money. But that’s simply the first step. Now that Senator Harris has chosen to stand with people over polluters, we look forward to seeing her lay out a robust and aggressive climate platform to keep fossil fuels in the ground in line with what science demands.”

    RL Miller, Political Director, Climate Hawks Vote:
    “I’m excited to see Kamala sign the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge at home in San Francisco. Senator Harris is showing that she’ll stand up against the special interests seeking to drown America in a dark wave of oil money.”

    ###

    Notes for editors:

    • 15 out of the 23 major Democratic party candidates for president have now taken the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, including 8 of the top 10 polling candidates according to the Real Clear Politics average of major national polls.
    • For a full listing of No Fossil Fuel Money pledge signers in the presidential race, see: http://nofossilfuelmoney.org/presidential-signers/
    • Taking the pledge means that a politician or candidate’s campaign will adopt a policy to not knowingly accept any contributions over $200 from the PACs, lobbyists, or executives of fossil fuel companies — companies whose primary business is the extraction, processing, distribution, or sale of oil, gas, or coal. Over 1,500 candidates nationwide and 48 sitting members of Congress have taken the pledge. See more at: http://nofossilfuelmoney.org