Tag: election

  • Oil Change U.S. responds to Vice Presidential debate

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    October 1, 2024

    Contact:
    Rebecca Stoner, rebecca.stoner@priceofoil.org
    Valentina Stackl, valentina@priceofoil.org

    Oil Change U.S. responds to Vice Presidential debate

    In response to tonight’s vice presidential debate, Collin Rees, Campaign Manager at Oil Change U.S., released the following statement: 

    “Tim Walz and JD Vance debated while communities across the South reel from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene, one of the deadliest and costliest storms in U.S. history. Over 160 are dead, hundreds are missing, and millions remain in dire need of food, water, and power — yet Vance brazenly dismissed established climate science, while Walz touted a deadly ‘all-of-the-above’ energy policy incompatible with the urgent climate action we know is necessary. 

    “Disasters like Helene are driven and turbo-charged by fossil fuels. We can’t solar-panel our way out of this crisis while continuing to drill and frack. Today’s catastrophes demand bold, uncompromising leadership. Tim Walz and Kamala Harris must step up to halt fossil fuel expansion, champion clean energy, and advance a just phaseout of oil, gas, and coal to protect our communities from escalating climate impacts. 

    “Tonight’s debate took place in the context of escalating regional war in the Middle East. Both candidates bragged about their support of Israel and its brutal wars against the Palestinian and Lebanese people. This must end. The last thing the American people need is for billions in public money to be spent bombing residential neighborhoods, killing civilians, and displacing millions. Hurricane Helene shows us even more clearly that our leaders must invest instead in preventing climate disasters and rebuilding communities when they strike.”

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  • Oil Change U.S. Response to Presidential Debate

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    September 10, 2024

    Contact:
    Rebecca Stoner, rebecca.stoner@priceofoil.org
    Allie Rosenbluth, allie@priceofoil.org

    Oil Change U.S. Response to Presidential Debate

    In response to tonight’s presidential debate, Allie Rosenbluth, Campaign Manager at Oil Change U.S., released the following statement: 

    “Tonight, both candidates bragged about their support for fracking and record fossil fuel production — dangerous positions that will keep us on the path towards catastrophic climate impacts and continue exposing frontline communities to deadly levels of fossil fuel pollution. The science is clear that the only way to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius is to phase out fossil fuels. 

    “We expect this from Donald Trump, a walking oil spill who openly promised fossil fuel CEOs he would shred all environmental protections in exchange for $1 billion in campaign donations. If elected, Trump would sell our future to fossil fuel barons, threaten our democracy, demonize immigrants and LGTBQ+ people, and further erode reproductive rights.

    “Kamala Harris promised to turn the page and chart a better future. That means taking decisive action to end fossil fuels and ensuring a just transition to renewable energy. We need a climate president — one who will invest in clean energy, end fossil fuel subsidies, and phase out fossil fuels to protect the communities most exposed to oil and gas pollution and the climate crisis. It’s time for Harris to show she can be that president.”

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  • Biden Steps Down – A Pivotal Moment for Climate Action, Says Oil Change U.S. Executive Director

    For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    July 21, 2024

    In response to President Biden stepping down, Elizabeth Bast, Oil Change U.S. Executive Director, said:

    “With extreme storms, crushing heat, and severe droughts, Joe Biden’s decision to step down as the presidential nominee is a pivotal moment for climate action. While Biden entered the White House vowing to stop drilling on public lands, oil production surged to unprecedented levels under his presidency. This catastrophic increase will have lasting dangerous effects on our health and safety for many years to come. 

    “The Democratic National Convention must seize this opportunity to select a candidate with a proven climate record who will prioritize transitioning away from fossil fuels and address the climate crisis head-on. Our future hinges on this decision. Whether it is Kamala Harris or another candidate, we will hold their feet to the fire to ensure they are the climate president we desperately need. This is a chance to leave a lasting climate legacy and truly lead on the global stage. 

    “It shows leadership and courage for Biden to step down to avoid a Trump presidency. Another Trump term would spell disaster, especially for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, and strike a blow against our climate ambitions. A candidate backed by people power is our path forward to a sustainable future. As the world watches, U.S. climate leadership must mean stopping oil and gas expansion, ending fossil fuel subsidies, and leading a just transition.”

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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 Andy Levin in Michigan Congressional Race

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 8, 2022

    Contact:
    Collin Rees, collin@priceofoil.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Andy Levin in Michigan Congressional Race

    WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Oil Change U.S., Food & Water Action, Climate Hawks Vote, and Zero Hour announced their endorsement of Andy Levin for Michigan’s 11th congressional district, joining the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund and Friends of the Earth Action. Together, these national progressive environmental groups represent tens of thousands of Michigan voters.

    Collin Rees, Political Director at Oil Change U.S., said: “Andy Levin’s bold leadership on climate change and labor justice have set him apart over a long career of public service. His deep commitment to rejecting corporate influence, safeguarding clean water and air across Michigan, and protecting workers and communities during the ongoing renewable energy transition has made him a crucial member of Congress. We need Rep. Levin in Congress, now more than ever.”

    Sam Bernhardt, Political Director at Food & Water Action, said: “Both in and out of Congress, Andy Levin has a proven track record as an environmental and climate leader. Representative Levin has shown the courage to directly confront the fossil fuel industry by supporting an end to fossil fuel subsidies and refusing to take their contributions. He has led the way on transitioning to electric vehicles. And he is uniquely qualified to work for a fair and just transition for working families and communities directly affected by the need to move off fossil fuels.”

    RL Miller, Political Director at Climate Hawks Vote, said: “Andy Levin has earned the support of Michigan grassroots climate hawks. In a survey in the new district, over 60 percent of Climate Hawks Vote members preferred him to his opponent. He’s earned that support by being a fierce climate hawk who knows how to put working families first. He’s authored climate bills like EV Freedom, promoting electric vehicle infrastructure. And he’s the only candidate in the district who has signed the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.” 

    Zanagee Artis, Executive Director of Zero Hour, said: “Zero Hour is proud to endorse Rep. Levin because he will continue to fight for a livable planet in Congress. Congressman Andy Levin’s lifelong commitment to environmental protection speaks for itself. Zero Hour and the young people who mobilize with us in Michigan are ready to send Rep. Levin back to Congress to continue fighting to end fossil fuel subsidies, expand renewable energy, and achieve the Green New Deal that we all deserve.”

    Brett Hartl, Political Director at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, said: “Rep. Andy Levin has shown time and again that he is a steadfast environmental champion of the environment and believes we have a moral obligation to save life on earth. Levin has fought his entire career against special interests that have sickened our communities and exacerbated the climate crisis. He is the type of leader we need in Congress more than ever.”

    Ariel Moger, Government and Political Affairs Manager at Friends of the Earth Action, said: “Friends of the Earth Action is proud to endorse Rep. Andy Levin, a proven advocate for communities and the environment. With so much on the line this election, we must elect leaders who will prioritize people and the planet over corporate profits. Levin is exactly the type of champion we need in Congress. We strongly urge the voters in Michigan’s 11th District to support his reelection.”

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  • Response to Biden Presidential Election Victory

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    November 7, 2020

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

    Oil Change U.S. Response to Biden Presidential Election Victory

    Multiple news outlets have now confirmed the results of enough states to give Joe Biden the necessary 270 electoral votes to win the presidential election. In response, Oil Change U.S. experts released the following statements:

    Elizabeth Bast, Executive Director:

    “The victory of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris over Donald Trump is an important victory for democracy against fascism. It’s a win for the climate and for trusting science, and it’s a win for all who fought to stand up to Trump and his blatant racism and misogyny. But the work is nowhere near over. These next four years may be the most critical years we’ve ever seen — for the climate, for restoring our democracy, and for pushing back against growing white supremacy and moving towards real racial justice.

    “Joe Biden said he will transition the U.S. away from oil, and we’re here for it. The American public is desperate for real climate action, and we look forward to working with the Biden and Harris administration to live up to all they’ve promised. This includes taking critical first steps in winding down an out of control fossil fuel industry in the United States: stopping the Keystone XL pipeline yet again, ending fossil fuel leases on public lands, ending fossil fuel subsidies and finance, implementing strong environmental justice standards and respecting Indigenous sovereignty, and recommitting to international climate leadership through re-engaging with the Paris Agreement and leading the G20 in a transition away from fossil fuels.

    “There is much work to do, but we welcome this opportunity to advance our collective efforts for climate justice and a managed decline of fossil fuels.”

     

    Rebecca Concepcion Apostol, National Program Director:

    “While the Biden climate plan is perhaps the most ambitious of any incoming President, we know it’s still not enough to protect our climate and communities from the mounting disasters we are facing all over the country. After a round of well-deserved celebrations, we’ll get back to work pushing with the urgency our climate crisis requires. A critical first step in the days ahead is ensuring Biden appoints true climate champions to all key positions and keeps fossil fuel representatives and lobbyists out of the incoming administration.

    “We need to see a new Biden administration move aggressively to phase out fossil fuel production in the United States with a people-centered just transition for workers and communities, including enacting ambitious executive orders to get the ball rolling immediately upon taking office, and working to instate climate action that matches the needs of the people.”

     

    Alex Doukas, Stop Funding Fossils Program Director:

    “Joe Biden has repeatedly committed to ending the billions in subsidies that go to the fossil fuel industry each year, and we look forward to holding him to this commitment. Biden has spoken frequently about moving the United States into a leadership position on climate, and one way he can back that rhetoric up is to end U.S. public support for fossil fuel production abroad. This would mean ending dirty finance overseas via the Export Import Bank, Development Finance Corporation, and U.S. participation in multilateral development banks, while delivering on Biden’s campaign promise to get a G20 commitment on ending export finance for high-carbon projects, including all fossil fuel infrastructure.”

     

    Collin Rees, Senior Campaigner:

    “This election has played out in a time of extreme turmoil — it’s happened amidst a deadly pandemic, an unprecedented uprising against racial injustice, and a climate crisis seizing headlines like never before. People-powered movements have changed the public conversation, and climate is now a top concern for voters.

    “Progressives across the country in swing districts and swing states proved that by leaning into bold, winning messages like standing up to Big Oil’s dirty dollars, providing health care for all, and defunding the racist police state, Democrats can win big. But the conversation in DC is stuck in the past, and we’ll need to push harder than ever to stop false solutions and win the transformative climate agenda we need. Joe Biden must lay out a bold agenda on climate from Day One, and we’ll be here to hold him to it.”

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