Tag: pledge

  • Oil Change U.S. Condemns Nellie Gorbea for Fundraiser Hosted by Fossil Fuel Lobbyist

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    June 28, 2022

    Contact: 
    Collin Rees, collin@priceofoil.org

    Oil Change U.S. Condemns Nellie Gorbea for Fundraiser Hosted by Fossil Fuel Lobbyist

    Earlier this month on June 10, Rhode Island Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea — who is running for governor — held a campaign fundraiser hosted by prominent fossil fuel lobbyist Tonio Burguos in New York. Tickets for the fundraiser, held at Burgos’ lobbying firm, started at $250. 

    Burgos is a prominent Democratic National Committee member and a well-known lobbyist for fossil fuel companies — he has lobbied for heavily fossil-fueled utility National Grid, earned millions lobbying for oil producer Williams Companies, and is currently lobbying for Valero, the world’s largest petroleum refiner. He is also a controversial figure in New England politics, as former U.S. Rep. Joe Kennedy took money from Burgos in his campaign against U.S. Sen. Ed Markey in violation of his No Fossil Fuel Money pledge and ultimately returned the contributions. 

    Nellie Gorbea’s campaign claims a commitment to “acting on climate” with a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. But companies like Valero have refused to commit to clear net-zero plans, and even fossil fuel companies who’ve been more forthcoming have been heavily criticized for the inadequacy of their plans and continued fossil fuel production. Gorbea has so far refused to sign the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge, a national effort signed by thousands of politicians urging candidates to reject contributions from fossil fuel PACs, executives, and lobbyists. 

    In response to Secretary of State Gorbea’s fundraiser, Oil Change U.S. Campaigns Director Collin Rees released the following statement: 

    “Anyone claiming the mantle of climate action must reject ties to Big Oil and Gas — it’s really that simple. Fossil fuel companies are wrecking the planet and endangering Rhode Islanders, and lobbyists like Tonio Burgos are profiting from this devastation. 

    “Nellie Gorbea should join over 100 Rhode Island political leaders and thousands of politicians nationwide, including President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, in pledging to reject fossil fuel money. If she won’t, she has absolutely no credibility on climate.” 

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    Notes to Editors

    – More info on Tonio Burgos’ lobbying and fossil fuel connections can be found here. 

    – More info on the No Fossil Fuel Money pledge can be found here. Rhode Island signers of the pledge can be found here. 

    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.

  • 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.”

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    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.