Dangerous Influence
IN GOVERNMENT
To maintain its profits, the fossil fuel industry relies on racism in a more acute way than any other business. It relies on lying more than the large majority of other businesses—on a par with tobacco and opioid profiteers.
And it relies on money to influence elected officials in a way that is tragically ordinary: higher than average, but within American norms.
In 2022, the Biden Administration’s climate bill passed with major fossil fuel concessions. These included greenlighting the massive Mountain Valley Pipeline. Two key Senators, Joe Manchin of West Virginia (a fossil fuel millionaire himself) and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, received large donations from pipeline backer Next Era. Majority Leader Schumer was its largest beneficiary in that election cycle, receiving $281,000.
“THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY’S DARK MONEY HAS POLLUTED OUR POLITICS AS BADLY AS ITS CARBON EMISSIONS HAVE POLLUTED OUR ATMOSPHERE AND OCEANS.”
—SHELDON WHITEHOUSE, US SENATOR (RI)
US voters deserve a Senate Majority Leader who has taken the No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge like 12 of his fellow Senators. (They’re listed to the right.)
IN THE UNITED NATIONS
We also deserve a UN process that isn’t polluted with the influence of those seeking to block a safe and just future, but instead fossil fuel influence has permeated the UN’s annual climate conference. In 2022, the industry sent 636 delegates, more than all of the ten most climate-impacted countries combined. The appointed president of the 2023 conference? The CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.
Humanity stands at a precipice. We deserve governance free of the influence of those who brought us to the edge.
DOING THE RIGHT THING
These 12 Senators have all pledged not to accept fossil fuel campaign donations. Thank them! One or both of your Senators not here? Call them! We have a script you can adapt.
MICHAEL BENNET, CO
CORY BOOKER, NJ
JOHN FETTERMAN, PA
KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND, NY
AMY KLOBUCHAR, MN
ED MARKEY, MA
JEFF MERKLEY, OR
ALEX PADILLA, CA
GARY PETERS, MI
BERNIE SANDERS, VT
ELIZABETH WARREN, MA
PETER WELCH, VT
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IRA and Mountain Valley Pipeline
The New York Times: Debt Deal Includes a Green Light for a Contentious PipelineManchin and Schumer fossil fuel dollars
The New York Times: Manchin’s Donors Include Pipeline Giants That Win in His Climate DealThe New Republic: A Company Behind the Mountain Valley Pipeline Is Showering Schumer With More Donations Than Manchin
No Fossil Fuel Money pledge signers
No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge: Tell Our Leaders: Take the No Fossil Fuel Money PledgeFossil fuel industry delegates at UN conference
BBC: COP27: Sharp rise in fossil fuel industry delegates at climate summit -