Tag: Green New Deal

  • Response to Kamala Harris’s Remarks at DNC: ‘We Need More than Platitudes on Climate’

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    August 22, 2024

    Contact:
    Valentina Stackl, valentina@priceofoil.org
    Collin Rees, collin@priceofoil.org

    In response to Kamala Harris’ speech at the Democratic National Convention, Collin Rees, Political Director at Oil Change U.S., said:

    “Kamala Harris’s extremely brief mention of climate change in her Democratic National Convention speech capped a week in which the climate crisis was shockingly absent in Chicago. We need concrete, specific commitments to match the urgency of the climate crisis. Harris must build on her ambitious 2020 climate agenda by committing to halt fossil fuel expansion, end fossil fuel subsidies, and invest in a Green New Deal with a just transition to renewable energy.

    “We need more than platitudes. We’re looking for specific pledges: a permanent halt to new LNG exports, a rejection of the disastrous Dakota Access Pipeline, and a clear plan to phase out fossil fuel production and end environmental injustice. Harris’s past support for the Green New Deal and her record of holding Big Oil accountable are promising, but this moment demands bold, transformative action.

    “The Democratic ticket must put forward a visionary climate agenda to address the climate crisis. With extreme weather events intensifying, we can’t afford half-measures or compromise. Real action to end fossil fuels and build a livable future remains a top, critical issue for young voters. We’ll be watching closely to ensure Harris follows through on her climate promises and becomes the climate president we desperately need.”

    ###

    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 Susheela Jayapal for U.S. House, OR-03

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact: 
    Allie Rosenbluth, allie@priceofoil.org
    Erika Seiber, eseiber@foe.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Susheela Jayapal for U.S. House, OR-03

    WASHINGTON — Today, environmental groups including Oil Change U.S., Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, Climate Hawks Vote, Food & Water Action, Friends of the Earth Action, and Zero Hour announced their endorsement of Susheela Jayapal for Oregon’s third Congressional district.

    Allie Rosenbluth, Political Director at Oil Change U.S., said: 
    “Under Susheela Jayapal’s leadership, Multnomah County took momentous actions to protect communities from the harms of fossil fuels while also investing in climate resilience and adaptation. Her proven record shows her dedication to environmental justice making her the ideal candidate to represent Oregon’s third district in Congress.” 

    Brett Hartl, Chief Political Strategist at Center for Biological Diversity Action, said: 
    “Susheela Jayapal works tirelessly for her community by taking on big polluters and standing up for our democracy. She isn’t afraid to fight for what’s right, and that’s exactly the kind of progressive champion we need in Congress. We’re very excited to endorse Susheela and can’t wait to work with her in Congress.”

    RL Miller, Political Director at Climate Hawks Vote, said: 
    “We listened to grassroots climate hawks in the district before endorsing, and Susheela is the near-unanimous choice. We’re looking forward to working with her, and joining her working on behalf of her constituents, in Congress.”

    Sam Bernhardt, Political Director at Food & Water Action, said: 
    “As County Commissioner, Susheela Jayapal fought fossil fuel infrastructure and sued oil and gas corporations over the heat dome that killed dozens of her constituents. We need big action and big commitment like this, which is why we need Susheela Jayapal in Congress.”

    Ariel Moger, Government & Political Affairs Director at Friends of the Earth Action, said: 
    “Friends of the Earth Action is committed to supporting candidates who unequivocally put people and the planet over corporate profit, which is why we’re thrilled to endorse Susheela Jayapal. Her willingness to fight big polluters makes her an ideal fit for Congress. We encourage voters in Oregon to support her at the ballot box for the sake of local communities and the climate.”

    Zanagee Artis, Executive Director at Zero Hour, said: 
    “Susheela Jayapal is a fierce advocate for environmental justice and we are proud to endorse her candidacy to represent Oregon’s third district in Congress. Jayapal is a Green New Deal Champion and we know that she will fight alongside the climate movement to phase out fossil fuels as a member 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 and the national Green New Deal Champions campaign. For more information, please visit OilChangeUS.org.

  • National Environmental Groups Endorse Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s Re-Election to Congress

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact: 
    Allie Rosenbluth, allie@priceofoil.org
    Sam Bernhardt, sbernhardt@fwwatch.org
    Brett Hartl, bretthartl@centeractionfund.org

    National Environmental Groups Endorse Jamaal Bowman’s Re-Election to Congress

    Rep. Bowman has championed climate justice initiatives throughout his time in Congress

    WASHINGTON — A group of national environmental advocacy organizations is endorsing Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s reelection campaign. Oil Change U.S., Center for Biological Diversity Action, Food & Water Action, and Zero Hour spoke out in support of Rep. Bowman ahead of a potential primary.

    Since his election in 2020, Rep. Bowman has been among the strongest voices in Congress for climate action, working to expand the power and breadth of the climate movement with proposals like his Green New Deal for Public Schools. Bowman’s advocacy helped pave the way for the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest clean energy legislation ever passed by Congress. Bowman has also lent his voice to state efforts, for instance calling on state elected officials to pass the Build Public Renewables Act in 2022 (the bill was passed in 2023). 

    Westchester County Executive George Latimer is weighing a primary challenge to Bowman, likely with the expectation that if he were to run, he can count on millions in SuperPAC spending to attack Bowman.

    Allie Rosenbluth, Political Director at Oil Change U.S., said: 
    “Oil Change U.S. strongly endorses Jamaal Bowman’s campaign for reelection. Representative Bowman has been one of the strongest advocates for climate justice in Congress, while prioritizing working with communities most impacted by the issue. His leadership on climate is a clear demonstration of how Congress should be taking on this crisis.” 

    Brett Hartl, Chief Political Strategist at Center for Biological Diversity Action, said: 
    “Representative Bowman has been one of the strongest voices pushing for this country to take stronger actions to address the climate crisis and environmental justice. We need more members like him willing to stand up to powerful polluters and the worst elements of the MAGA Republicans, and we strongly support his reelection to Congress.”

    Sam Bernhardt, Political Director at Food & Water Action, said: 
    “With our planet on the brink of ever-deepening climate chaos, we must be laser-focused on supporting Congress members like Jamaal Bowman — a through-and-through fossil fuel fighter and a champion of clean, renewable energy for all.”

    Zanagee Artis, Executive Director at Zero Hour, said: 
    “Representative Jamaal Bowman continues to be a champion for environmental justice and young people in Congress, and Zero Hour is proud to endorse his candidacy again. Representative Bowman demonstrates what it really means to represent young people and care about the issues that impact us.”

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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.

  • 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

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  • Oil Change U.S. and 100+ Organizations Urge Congress to Reject $400+ Billion Fossil Fuel Bailout

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 24, 2020

    CONTACT:
    Matt Maiorana, matt [at] priceofoil [dot] org
    Collin Rees, collin [at] priceofoil [dot] org

    Oil Change U.S. and 100+ organizations urge Congress to Reject $400 Billion Fossil Fuel Bailout


    Today, Oil Change U.S., in addition to more than 100 climate, environmental, social-justice, and workers’ rights groups urged Congress to reject Republican efforts to assist the fossil fuel industry and instead focus relief legislation on the American people. Their message can be found below:

    Dear Members of Congress,

    As our nation suffers from the novel coronavirus pandemic, the fossil fuel industry is trying to cash in on Congress’ emergency relief legislation. The Senate Republican proposal would open the door to billions in handouts to coal, oil and gas companies and fossil fuel-intensive industries, instead of providing relief directly to the people who desperately need it. This is beyond outrageous. On behalf of our millions of supporters and members, we request that you exercise your authority to protect people, not polluters. We insist that you focus all legislation on emergency relief and a just recovery, and that you refuse to support any bill that gives money to fossil fuel corporations. We call on you to advance real solutions that follow the Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus,[1] and further demand that you pass emergency legislation that responds to the call of the people for leadership as follows.

    1. Legislation must focus on combating the coronavirus pandemic and providing emergency relief directly to the people and communities who need it.

    We support proposals that provide wage replacement directly to workers who have lost their jobs and to those working drastically reduced hours — with no strings attached and no means testing — rather than proposals that give away the people’s money to some of the world’s largest polluters. We support proposals that ensure high-quality healthcare and paid sick leave for all people, and that strengthen unions and enhance critical protections for workers. The people cannot afford a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis, where the plight of ordinary people was an afterthought while corporations and corporate boards received outlandish financial handouts. As explained by nearly 600 organizations in a separate letter,[2] Congress must protect at-risk Americans by immediately instituting a nationwide moratorium on all electricity, water, and other essential utility shut-offs–a problem that disproportionately impacts low-wealth households, especially in communities of color and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

    2. There must be absolutely no funding for fossil fuel executives and shareholders or that would promote fossil fuel production or infrastructure.

    The fossil fuel industry already receives billions in subsidies. Fossil fuel executives have always sought to maximize their profits at the expense of people and planet. As the world’s largest polluters, they have held back progress for far too long by blocking policies that would have provided just and sustainable energy alternatives to fossil fuels. This moment presents a historic opportunity to provide long-term economic security for fossil fuel workers and fossil fuel-dependent communities; follow the best available climate change science in transitioning rapidly away from all fossil fuel production and use; and hold fossil fuel polluters accountable.

    The people do not support hand-outs of any kind to fossil fuel polluters. All tax breaks, credits or trickle down schemes that give money to fossil fuel corporations rather than workers; waivers or suspensions of environmental, health, and safety laws; low-interest loans and loan guarantees; purchases into or expansion of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve; royalty relief; new subsidies; and any additional giveaways must be stripped from the relief legislation. In addition, we oppose any efforts to bail out large fossil fuel corporations by allowing these companies to qualify for the Senate’s proposed $425 billion slush fund that supports an “eligible business” for loans or loan guarantees.

    As explained by over 200 organizations in a separate letter,[3] any relief to the airline industry must be conditioned on requiring airlines take necessary steps to ensure the safety of our climate, impacted workers, and affected communities. The airline industry’s greenhouse gas pollution cannot be effectively or fairly addressed through the use of offsets, net zero targets, or through the promotion of today’s unsustainable biofuels. Congress must require all airlines which receive relief funding to adopt all aviation emissions reductions technology and practices available today, and compel the industry to modernize through strong, technology-forcing regulations towards zero emissions over time.

    The same principles apply to any relief to massive foreign cruise ship corporations that pollute our environment, take advantage of tax loopholes, and flag ships in foreign countries. Any bailout should be focused on providing relief to impacted workers and affected communities, not the industry itself, and must ensure the industry does not return to business as usual.

    3. Funds should be provided for investment in zero emissions, sustainable energy technologies and equitable programs that will support healthy communities free of pollution.

    Once the emergency phase of novel coronavirus response has passed, Congress must turn its attention to spurring a sustainable and just economic recovery that provides the solutions needed to respond to the scale of the economic and climate emergencies. The novel coronavirus pandemic is in many ways analogous to the disruptions that the climate crisis will, and has already, caused. Stimulus and recovery funds must be directed toward sustainable and renewable technologies and equitable and democratic programs as part of a planned phaseout of fossil fuel production that will provide long-term protections for the workers and communities who have powered our economy for decades and empower communities, especially Black and Indigenous communities and communities of color, in a sustainable and just economy.

    To give just a few examples, funds should be provided for massive investment in sustainable and renewable energy and decentralized, democratic sustainable energy systems like community solar, microgrids, and priority grid access for renewable energy. These systems are vital so that people whose electricity is now cut off by utilities will no longer need to rely on dirty centralized power, increasing their resilience in crises like these and the climate emergency–as supported by nearly 600 organizations.[4] Unprecedented financing must also be directed to transforming our dirty transportation system through subsidizing all electric buses, rail cars, and other zero-emissions public transport that serves the people who need it most. This must also include not only subsidizing the electrification of ferry systems and domestic commercial shipping, but also the buildout of renewable shore power infrastructure in our nation’s ports. This must be done in tandem with nation-wide electric vehicle charging and other infrastructure to speed the manufacturing and deployment of electric vehicles, including for freight and heavy duty vehicles. Funds should also be provided to create nation-wide energy efficiency programs to retrofit the buildings sector.

    As discussed below, these technology investments must also be made with equal investments in people, where training programs and support for unions and high-road labor standards will help create dignified, family-sustaining jobs.

    The just transition off of fossil fuels will also create life-saving health benefits due to the reduction in air and water pollution and other harms from these dirty fuels. And in many jurisdictions, renewable energy today is at cost parity or even substantially cheaper than fossil fuels. Consumers will thus benefit tremendously from the shift to clean, renewable energy.

    4. Recovery funds should provide long-term security in the just and equitable energy transition for fossil fuel workers and communities economically dependent on fossil fuel production.

    The oil and gas industry is already undergoing inevitable decline — a volatile boom and bust cycle out of our control. Global uncertainty, oil price instability, COVID-19 and the resulting economic downturn are only exacerbating the industry’s recent history of debt accrual and mismanagement. Oilfield workers already face layoffs — a preview of hardships to come if the transition to a clean energy future is not well-managed. The need has never been greater for a thoughtful, robust plan to manage the energy transition while protecting impacted communities, workers, and their families.

    In addition to the emergency relief provided to all workers whose livelihoods are threatened during the coronavirus pandemic, we call on Congress to provide long-term support for workers in the oil, gas, and coal industries while managing the transition away from fossil fuels. We can better protect oil, coal, and fracked gas workers for the long haul by investing in a just, collaborative, and deliberative transition to a sustainable economy. While we create millions of dignified, family-sustaining jobs in climate protection, not extraction, Congress must ensure that every worker displaced in the energy transition is provided with wage replacement and guaranteed pensions and benefits, opportunities for alternative quality employment, relocation assistance, the option of age-appropriate retirement, and other assurances they can continue to provide for their families in the move to an economy beyond fossil fuels. Communities that rely on tax revenue from fossil fuel production to provide critical public services must also not be left behind, and should receive tax base replacement assistance.

    We must also hold fossil fuel companies accountable to meet their existing obligations to their workers. Fossil fuel companies must be required to fulfill wages and pension obligations, pay to clean up pollution and revitalize the communities in which they operate, and protect existing labor contracts and uphold obligations to their workers, retirees, communities, and the environment in bankruptcy proceedings.

    5. Congress must ensure stimulus plans protect the economy from the risks of climate change.

    The people demand accountability. Leadership must avoid the relaxation of rules on financial institutions. Weakening standards will impact our ability to weather future crises, particularly the climate crisis. Congressional leadership must avoid a backdoor bailout for the fossil fuel industry. Instead, policymakers should be bolstering the resilience of the financial system to protect the people from the climate shock that is barreling towards us. Policymakers should refrain from further deregulation of the financial industry and implement new regulations to protect the economy and the American public from the climate crisis.

    In order to prepare the economy to weather the coming climate crisis, the US government should require banks, asset managers, and other financial institutions to phase out financing for and investments in fossil fuels and support the transition to a green economy. Leadership should ensure that any proposed legislation does not rollback requirements to disclose climate-related risk (or efforts to create those requirements) and does not eliminate requirements to undertake climate-related stress tests (or efforts to create those requirements).

    Congress must take all of the actions described herein to protect the American people. These actions will also help address our country’s responsibility, as the world’s largest greenhouse emitter, to redress the legacy of global injustice from fossil fuel extraction and use that disproportionately impacts countries in the Global South.

    Thank you for your consideration.

    ###

    MORE INFORMATION:

    – The “Five Principles for Just COVID-19 Relief and Stimulus” can be found here: https://thepeoplesbailout.org/

    – The full list of signatories are listed below:

    ActionAid USA
    Animals Are Sentient Beings, Inc.
    Animas Valley Institute
    Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
    Athens County’s Future Action Network (ACFAN.org, OH)
    Azul
    BeanCounters Unlimited
    Biofuelwatch
    Brighter Green
    Catskill Mountainkeeper
    Center for a Competitive Waste Industry
    Center for Biological Diversity
    Center for Climate Change and Health
    Center for Climate Change Communication, George Mason University
    Center For Sustainable Economy
    Central Maryland Beeekeepers Assoc
    CEO Pipe Organs/Golden Ponds Farm
    Climate Defense Project
    Climate Hawks Vote
    Co-op Power
    Conservation Congress
    Cooperative Energy Futures
    Corporate Accountability
    Deep Green Resistance New York City
    Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice
    Dogwood Alliance
    Earth Justice Ministries
    Earthworks
    Eco-Eating
    Eco-Justice Collaborative
    EcoWorks
    Flight Free USA
    Food & Water Action
    Frac Sand Sentinel: Project Outreach
    Frack Free Catskills
    FracTracker Alliance
    Friends of the Bitterroot
    Friends of the Earth
    Great Egg Harbor Watershed Association
    Greater Brunswick PeaceWorks
    Green Belt Movement International- NA
    Green Door Initiative
    GreenLatinos
    Greenpeace USA
    Hammond Climate Solutions
    Heartwood
    Hip Hop Caucus
    In the Public Interest
    Indigenous Environmental Network
    Inspiration of Sedona
    Institute for Policy Studies Climate Policy Program
    Interfaith Oceans
    LaPlaca and Associates LLC
    Long Beach 350
    Mothers Out Front
    National Children’s Campaign
    No Coal in Oakland
    No Sharon Gas Pipeline
    Northern Jaguar Project
    Nuclear Information and Resource Service
    NYC H2O
    Oil Change U.S.
    Pacific Environment
    Partnership for Southern Equity
    Pelican Media
    Progressive Democrats of AmericaPublic Citizen
    Public Lands Project
    Publish What You Pay-US
    Rachel’s Network
    Rainforest Action Network
    Riverdale Jewish Earth Alliance
    Rogue Climate    		 Safe Skies Maryland
    Samuel Lawrence Foundation
    SanDiego350
    SAVE THE FROGS!
    Sequoia ForestKeeper®
    Stand.earth
    Stone Quarry House
    Sunflower Alliance
    Sunrise Movement
    Sustainable Energy & Economy Network
    Sustainable Upton
    Syracuse Cultural Workers
    The Climate Center
    The Climate Mobilization
    The Enviro Show
    The Natural History Museum
    The River Project
    Topanga Peace Alliance
    Transition Sebastopol
    Tree San Diego
    Turtle Island Restoration Network
    Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth
    Uplift
    Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment
    Weather Medic Inc
    Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club
    WESPAC Foundation
    WildEarth Guardians
    WildWest Institute
    Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)
    Zero Hour
    Publish What You Pay-US
    Rachel’s Network
    Rainforest Action Network
    Riverdale Jewish Earth Alliance
    Rogue Climate
    Safe Skies Maryland
    Samuel Lawrence Foundation
    SanDiego350
    SAVE THE FROGS!
    Sequoia ForestKeeper®
    Stand.earth
    Stone Quarry House
    Sunflower Alliance
    Sunrise Movement
    Sustainable Energy & Economy Network
    Sustainable Upton
    Syracuse Cultural Workers
    The Climate Center
    The Climate Mobilization
    The Enviro Show
    The Natural History Museum
    The River Project
    Topanga Peace Alliance
    Transition Sebastopol
    Tree San Diego
    Turtle Island Restoration Network
    Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth
    Uplift
    Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment
    Weather Medic Inc
    Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club
    WESPAC Foundation
    WildEarth Guardians
    WildWest Institute
    Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN)
    Zero Hour
    100Grannies.org for a Fossil Fuel Free Future
    198 methods
    350 Colorado
    350 Everett
    350 Triangle
    350.org
    350PDX

  • Oil Change U.S. says “Absolutely Not” to Oil Bailout

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    March 10, 2020

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

    Oil Change U.S. says “Absolutely Not” to Oil Bailout

    The Washington Post and other outlets reported today that the Trump administration is considering a bailout to the U.S. oil industry in the wake of an oil price war and declining demand in part related to reduced travel and commerce due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, David Turnbull, Strategic Communications Director with Oil Change U.S., released the following statement:

    “In response to any suggested oil industry bailout, we have two words: Absolutely not.”

    “The fossil fuel industry is already the recipient of billions of dollars of wasteful taxpayer subsidies each year. Adding more to that pile would be putting good money after extremely bad. Of course the oil-soaked Trump administration is seizing on a moment of crisis to pad the pockets of their billionaire oil industry friends, but lawmakers in Washington should do whatever they can to stop this from happening. This crisis calls for investment in the future with a Green New Deal, not propping up the dirty past.”

    “Rather than bailing out the corporations driving our climate crisis and playing part in a volatile oil price war, we need investment in a Green New Deal to support the people who will be most impacted by this crash: the workers. A Green New Deal can help redeploy oil field workers into jobs that are not constantly at risk from oil’s boom and bust cycles and geopolitical wrangling.”

    ###

  • Oil Change U.S. Response to Sen. Bernie Sanders Green New Deal Plan

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    August 22, 2019

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

    Oil Change U.S. response to Sen. Bernie Sanders Green New Deal Plan

    Today, Senator Bernie Sanders released a Green New Deal plan as part of his campaign for the Democratic nomination for president. In response, David Turnbull, Strategic Communications Director with Oil Change U.S., released the following statement: 

    “Senator Bernie Sanders has been a climate champion for decades during his time in the House and Senate, and we’re thrilled to see this comprehensive plan from him during his presidential run. Today, Senator Sanders has delivered a robust and impressive plan with ambitious goals and, critically, a clear stance of taking on the fossil fuel industry driving our climate crisis.

    “This plan is the latest in a series of strong climate plans from 2020 candidates, and continues the race to the top for candidates vying for consideration by an electorate that puts climate change at the top of its list of concerns. With his comprehensive approach that includes an end to new fossil fuel infrastructure, a ban on fossil fuel development on public lands, and the removal of billions in fossil fuel subsidies, Senator Sanders joins the impressive collection of climate plans from Democratic contenders that continues to raise the bar for what real leadership to confront the climate crisis looks like.

    “As Donald Trump drools over Greenland’s rapidly melting landscape, Democratic candidates are focused on the real work of building a robust response to the climate crisis that may actually give the Greenland ice sheet a fighting chance at avoiding total collapse. This is the crucial work our country should be focused on, and we’re glad to see Senator Sanders’ plan that meets the urgency of the crisis we face head-on and names fossil fuel industry executives as the clear villain.”

    ###

    Notes for Editors:

    – Senator Sanders’ full ‘Green New Deal’ plan can be found here: https://berniesanders.com/the-green-new-deal/

     

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

  • Dispatch from the 2019 Netroots Nation Conference in Philly

    From July 11-13, over 3,000 progressive activists from across the United States gathered for the Netroots Nation (NN19) conference in Philadelphia, and Oil Change was there for all the action. While our collective movement for justice has many critical issues, the climate crisis stood out throughout the weekend as a crucial part of the progressive dialogue. Here’s a quick Twitter journey through some climate highlights from NN19:

    As you can imagine, people at this year’s conference were fired up about a Green New Deal. The conference kicked off with a panel on “Making the Green New Deal Real,” moderated by Brad Johnson, with award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Naomi Klein, Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakash, New Consensus co-founder and Executive Director Demond Drummer, and well-regarded California politician Kevin de Leon.

    Then, in the afternoon, the Hip Hop Caucus’s podcast, “Think 100%: The Coolest Show on Climate Change,” recorded its latest show live for a gathered crowd at NN19. Hosts Rev. Yearwood and Antonique Smith were joined by special guest Vic J. Barrett. Barrett is one of 21 plaintiffs with Our Children’s Trust who are suing the U.S. federal government to defend the rights of youth and future generations. This whole interview was . 

    On Thursday night, with a rainstorm outside, many of us gathered for a Green New Deal Happy Hour, where notes were compared, plans were made, inspiring speeches were shared, and good food was consumed (there were even eggplant sloppy joes, because yes, that is a thing). 

    As in previous years, Netroots attendees were abuzz about the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge throughout the conference. The pledge has been signed by more than 1,600 politicians from across the country — including 21 of the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. Along with coalition partners, Oil Change brought a pledge board with permanent markers, and got a whole bunch of signers, old and new, to sign their names.

    Friday kicked off with a critical panel, “Racial Justice & Climate Change: Building A Multiracial Environmental Justice Movement.“ Moderated by Data for Progress Director of Green New Deal Strategy Julian Brave NoiseCat, the panel featured Sunrise Movement Executive Director Varshini Prakash, 350.org U.S. Communications Associate Director Thanu Yakupitiyage, and artist, filmmaker, and digital communications strategist Jade Begay. They were joined by Alexa Ross and O. from Philly Thrive, a Philadelphia-based multiracial, cross-class organization working hard for a just transition away from fossil fuels and toward a thriving, inclusive clean energy future in the city.


    Soon after came the panel “Communicating Climate Action at the Intersections: Perspectives in Storytelling and Narrative,” moderated by Thanu Yakupitiyage with 350.org.

    Afterward, conference participants streamed into the hot summer afternoon heat for a truly amazing and inspiring “Lights for Liberty” rally that took over the streets of Philadelphia:

    At dusk, the Real Climate Leadership Happy Hour kicked off, sponsored by Oil Change U.S., 350 Action, and Climate Hawks Vote. On a breezy evening, dozens of conference attendees joined together to socialize, chat about climate organizing, and learn more about the amazing work Philly Thrive is doing in Philadelphia. Their presentation started with a moment for everybody to take a deep breath and reflect on the right to breathe. CLICK HERE to donate to Philly Thrive’s critical, ongoing work for energy and environmental justice in the city of Philadelphia.

    On Saturday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, joined the Netroots Climate Caucus for a few minutes to give a short speech and take a few questions. He talked about his climate plans, the need for real climate leadership, and his continued call for a DNC-sanctioned climate debate. In addition, he discussed his opposition to the Enbridge Line 5 pipeline in Michigan, to cheers from the group. His latest statement on the matter was a call to action for other 2020 contenders: “I hope that every fellow Democratic candidate for President joins me in opposing this dangerous pipeline.” Plenary sessions with candidates also included mention of the climate crisis and the need for bold action. 

    On Saturday afternoon, the “We Paved the Road: A Frontline Perspective on the Green New Deal Moment” panel moderated by Climate Justice Alliance’s Anthony Rogers-Wright, with Sierra Club Pennsylvania’s Coordinator of Philadelphia Climate Works Zakia Elliott, UPROSE (Brooklyn’s oldest Latino community-based organization) Executive Director Elizabeth Yeampierre, and Movement Strategy Innovation Center fellow Anthony Giancatarino. Learn more from Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) about how to center frontline communities in the Just Transition.

    Later Saturday, the Oil Change U.S. team joined dozens of fellow climate activists to disrupt a Democratic National Committee (DNC) panel at the conference and make our voices heard, yet again, to the DNC in our demand for a full DNC-sanctioned climate debate! We packed the room, started a chant, and then several people directly impacted by the climate crisis told their heartfelt stories. 

    The whole thing was live-streamed, and after we left the room, the chant continued in the halls. It looked like this: 

    Due to our collective ongoing efforts, the call for a climate debate has been gaining serious momentum. Under intense pressure from the grassroots, twenty-one 2020 presidential candidates, and even their own membership, the executive committee of the DNC recently voted to reevaluate the #ClimateDebate issue. 

    The proposal will now be reviewed by the DNC’s resolutions committee before going up for a full DNC vote in late August. That means we have just one month to put the pressure on DNC members to make the right decision. Help us keep the pressure on: Tell members of the DNC to fully support a Climate Debate!

    All in all, the Netroots Nation conference made clear that the climate crisis continues to be a top concern, and there is passion and energy around raising our voices, demanding real climate leadership from decision makers, and demanding solutions that meet the scale of this crisis. The historic success of the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge shows just how powerful our efforts have been, and how far we’ve come. But there’s a lot more work to do. 

    We know that standing up to the out-of-control fossil fuel industry is essential if we are going to get ourselves out of this crisis, and the fossil fuel industry is starting to really feel the heat. Want proof? The secretary general of OPEC, Mohammed Barkindo, said that climate activists are “perhaps the greatest threat to our industry going forward.” That was an undeniably true statement, which received a celebratory thank you from Greta Thurnberg and from activists across the world. We’re certainly doing something right…


    Next year, the annual Netroots Nation conference will be in the midst of a heated general election season for 2020, and we can expect more fireworks, more victories, and a whole lot more talk about real climate leadership. We’ll be ready for it.

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

  • Opponents of Green New Deal in Senate Propped up by Fossil Cash

    On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) followed through on his promise to bring Sen. Ed Markey’s resolution on a Green New Deal to the Senate floor, in a blatant attempt to undermine the resolution’s momentum and divide Democrats on the ambitious piece of climate legislation. In response, the Democratic caucus remained mostly unified in voting “present” on the measure (a procedural move to show their objection to the cynical vote), while Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Angus King (I-ME) joined fossil fuel puppet Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and all 53 Republicans in voting against the Green New Deal.

    The vote does not come as a surprise, as Republicans have openly mocked the Green New Deal and used scare tactics to influence public opinion, claiming the plan would ban hamburgers and citing a $93 trillion cost estimate that is not based in reality and was recently traced back to a Koch-backed think tank. Outside of climate denial fantasy-land, 13 Democratic senators and six 2020 Presidential contenders have endorsed the Green New Deal, including Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

    Increasingly, politicians are recognizing that real climate leadership means taking bold action to transform our economy and society while transitioning away from fossil fuel production and ensuring vulnerable communities are supported. While it is disappointing that Senate Democrats did not publicly take a stance on the Green New Deal resolution, it is important to highlight the overwhelming amount of fossil fuel money that influenced those senators who voted against the measure.

    The Fossil Fuel Money Breakdown:¹

    – Combined fossil fuel contributions to “no” votes against Green New Deal resolution: over $55,000,000
    – Average lifetime fossil fuel contributions per “no” vote against Green New Deal resolution: $967,305
    – Average lifetime fossil fuel contributions per “present” vote on Green New Deal resolution: $113,976

    Fossil fuel interests have given over 11 times as much dirty money to senators voting against the Green New Deal resolution than to those who voted “present” to block McConnell’s cynical ploy. The vote underscores the power and influence that the oil, gas, and coal industry wields over our elected officials, and the importance of getting the corrupting influence of fossil fuel money out of our political system. A previous Oil Change U.S. analysis found that senators not co-sponsoring Sen. Markey’s Green New Deal resolution received more than seven times as much fossil fuel money as the co-sponsors.

    Many senators up for election in 2020 have been vocal opponents of the Green New Deal, while at the same time collectively accepting over $3 million from the oil, gas, and coal industries:

    –  Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ): $501,264 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO): $1,343,649 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. David Perdue (R-GA): $240,650 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA): $213,900 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): $325,084 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC): $377,850 from the oil, gas, and coal industries

    With this week’s industry-sponsored political theater out of the way, it’s time for Democrats to get serious about truly leading on climate in a way that winds down fossil fuel production to protect communities and the climate. Democrats must go beyond vocalizing vague support for ambitious climate action on the campaign trail, stand up to the fossil fuel industry, and support the bold action required to prevent climate catastrophe. The science is clear – we need a courageous Green New Deal that ends handouts to Big Oil, Gas, and Coal and prioritizes a managed decline of fossil fuel production.

    Want to get involved in the ongoing fight to get fossil fuel money out of our politics? Here’s what’s next:

    Tell Green New Deal co-sponsors to take the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.
    Tell 2020 Presidential contenders to take the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.

    [1] “Oil, Gas, & Coal Contributions,” Center for Responsible Politics, 02-01-19

  • Opponents of Green New Deal in Senate Propped up by Fossil Cash

    On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) followed through on his promise to bring Sen. Ed Markey’s resolution on a Green New Deal to the Senate floor, in a blatant attempt to undermine the resolution’s momentum and divide Democrats on the ambitious piece of climate legislation. In response, the Democratic caucus remained mostly unified in voting “present” on the measure (a procedural move to show their objection to the cynical vote), while Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Doug Jones (D-AL), and Angus King (I-ME) joined fossil fuel puppet Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and all 53 Republicans in voting against the Green New Deal.

    The vote does not come as a surprise, as Republicans have openly mocked the Green New Deal and used scare tactics to influence public opinion, claiming the plan would ban hamburgers and citing a $93 trillion cost estimate that is not based in reality and was recently traced back to a Koch-backed think tank. Outside of climate denial fantasy-land, 13 Democratic senators and six 2020 Presidential contenders have endorsed the Green New Deal, including Sens. Kamala Harris (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

    Increasingly, politicians are recognizing that real climate leadership means taking bold action to transform our economy and society while transitioning away from fossil fuel production and ensuring vulnerable communities are supported. While it is disappointing that Senate Democrats did not publicly take a stance on the Green New Deal resolution, it is important to highlight the overwhelming amount of fossil fuel money that influenced those senators who voted against the measure.

    The Fossil Fuel Money Breakdown:¹

    – Combined fossil fuel contributions to “no” votes against Green New Deal resolution: over $55,000,000
    – Average lifetime fossil fuel contributions per “no” vote against Green New Deal resolution: $967,305
    – Average lifetime fossil fuel contributions per “present” vote on Green New Deal resolution: $113,976

    Fossil fuel interests have given over 11 times as much dirty money to senators voting against the Green New Deal resolution than to those who voted “present” to block McConnell’s cynical ploy. The vote underscores the power and influence that the oil, gas, and coal industry wields over our elected officials, and the importance of getting the corrupting influence of fossil fuel money out of our political system. A previous Oil Change U.S. analysis found that senators not co-sponsoring Sen. Markey’s Green New Deal resolution received more than seven times as much fossil fuel money as the co-sponsors.

    Many senators up for election in 2020 have been vocal opponents of the Green New Deal, while at the same time collectively accepting over $3 million from the oil, gas, and coal industries:

    –  Sen. Martha McSally (R-AZ): $501,264 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO): $1,343,649 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. David Perdue (R-GA): $240,650 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA): $213,900 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME): $325,084 from the oil, gas, and coal industries
    – Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC): $377,850 from the oil, gas, and coal industries

    With this week’s industry-sponsored political theater out of the way, it’s time for Democrats to get serious about truly leading on climate in a way that winds down fossil fuel production to protect communities and the climate. Democrats must go beyond vocalizing vague support for ambitious climate action on the campaign trail, stand up to the fossil fuel industry, and support the bold action required to prevent climate catastrophe. The science is clear – we need a courageous Green New Deal that ends handouts to Big Oil, Gas, and Coal and prioritizes a managed decline of fossil fuel production.

    Want to get involved in the ongoing fight to get fossil fuel money out of our politics? Here’s what’s next:

    Tell Green New Deal co-sponsors to take the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.
    Tell 2020 Presidential contenders to take the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge.

     

    [1] “Oil, Gas, & Coal Contributions,” Center for Responsible Politics, 02-01-19