Democrats refer Big Oil probe findings to the Justice Department

democrats refer big oil probe findings to the justice department

Democrats refer Big Oil probe findings to the Justice Department

House and Senate Democrats are referring the results of their probe into alleged climate disinformation by the oil industry to the Justice Department.

“We are making a formal referral to Attorney General [Merrick] Garland to commence a proper inquiry into whether charges should be brought and what charges should be brought,” Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) told reporters.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) said specifically that they want the Justice Department to “investigate big oil for its decades long disinformation campaign to mislead the American public about the climate effects of fossil fuels and to obstruct meaningful action on climate change.”

The pair invoked the department’s 1999 suit against major tobacco companies — noting that this was a civil suit under an anti-racketeering law.

The referral follows the Democrats’ release of a report last month in which they accused the industry of “deception, disinformation, and doublespeak” based on internal industry documents. Oil companies have denied wrongdoing.

The industry has faced numerous lawsuits since Inside Climate News and The Los Angeles Times reported in 2015 that Exxon knew about climate change for decades but still promoted climate denial.

The committee released thousands of documents alongside its report last month. In one such document, an ExxonMobil media relations manager admits internally to “working against” both climate science and climate policy.

“It’s true that Inside Climate News originally accused us of working against the science but ultimately modified their accusation to working against policies meant to stop climate change, such as Kyoto. I’m ok either way since they were both true at one time or another,” wrote Exxon’s Alan Jeffers.

Whitehouse said that the lawmakers “invite the Department of Justice to look through the documents that we’ve released” and “let them know that there’s a whole lot more documents for them to look to if they wish.”

The probe was bigger than just the one company, also including Chevron, Shell and BP, as well as lobbying groups the Chamber of Commerce and the American Petroleum Institute (API).

An API spokesperson described the referral as “unfounded.”

“This is another unfounded political charade to distract from persistent inflation and America’s need for more energy, including oil and natural gas,” said spokesperson Andrea Woods in a written statement.

“U.S. energy workers are focused on delivering the reliable, affordable oil and natural gas Americans demand and any suggestion to the contrary is false,” Woods added.

Exxon declined to comment on the effort to involve the Justice Department, but referred The Hill to its past statement on the Democrats’ allegations.

“These are tired allegations that have already been publicly addressed through previous Congressional hearings on the same topic and litigation in the courts. As we have said time and time again, climate change is real, and we have an entire business dedicated to reducing emissions,” the company said last month.

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce accused the Democrats of trying to use law enforcement against those they disagree with.

“Senator Whitehouse and Congressman Raskin are setting a dangerous precedent by attempting to leverage federal law enforcement agencies to settle policy disputes,” said Neil Bradley, the group’s executive vice president and chief policy officer, in a written statement.

“Their referral insinuates legal violations without identifying a single law that has allegedly been broken,” Bradley added.  “Criminalizing policy disagreements is a concerning departure from constructive dialogue, especially since the Chamber made legitimate efforts to cooperate with the committee consistent with our constitutional rights.”

The Hill has reached out to the other companies and a Justice Department spokesperson for comment.

The referral is the culmination of a years-long investigation by Democrats that included the oil companies’ 2021 House testimony and Democrats’ subpoena for additional documents.

— Updated at 4:50 p.m.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.

OTHER NEWS

14 minutes ago

Hockey Hall Of Fame Announces the Class of 2024

14 minutes ago

Lauren Boebert has won her primary. What now?

14 minutes ago

New report reveals risks reshaping South Africa's employee landscape

14 minutes ago

Friendly’s and Hershey’s ice creams among nearly 70 products recalled over risk of listeria contamination

14 minutes ago

I’m 70, retired and my husband and I have Social Security, two 401(k)s and an annuity so we ‘live comfortably.’ So do I even need my financial adviser anymore?

14 minutes ago

SA Social Media Landscape Launch Webinar – 28 June 2024

14 minutes ago

Ian Wright wants new position for Arsenal star to 'activate' England attack at Euro 2024

14 minutes ago

Brazil's Supreme Court decriminalizes marijuana possession

14 minutes ago

Julian Assange plea deal hearing begins

14 minutes ago

Bonitas, Gift of the Givers restore reliable water to Kalafong Hospital

14 minutes ago

Brand new classic Fords heading to production

14 minutes ago

#YouthMonth: Oryx+Crake's Mbongo Junior Koyana discusses the link between freedom and creativity

14 minutes ago

Court rules in favour of insurer in dispute over towed vehicle

14 minutes ago

Calls to reinstate overnight and palliative care in Cunderdin 10 years after demolition of hospital

14 minutes ago

George Latimer ousts ‘Squad’ Rep. Jamaal Bowman in 16th District primary

14 minutes ago

Bad news for borrowers as inflation surges - adding to fears of rate pain

18 minutes ago

NCAA council votes to remove cannabis from banned drug list, removes limits on on-field coaches

18 minutes ago

Asia-Pacific markets mostly rise ahead of Australia's May inflation data

20 minutes ago

How the Fed’s inflation fight inflames the national debt

20 minutes ago

Charles Payne: Stop painting a picture of even prosperity for everyone

20 minutes ago

‘He understands where the line is’: Blues back Mitchell to keep emotions in check

20 minutes ago

2 ASX shares that would pass Peter Lynch's favourite valuation metric

20 minutes ago

Sydney landmark listed for sale

20 minutes ago

Kgomotso Pooe shares Soweto dream

20 minutes ago

Fact Check: Posts Claim Angel Reese Is Facing 'Financial Turmoil' After Losing $50M in Endorsements. Here's the Truth

20 minutes ago

Australia's first all-natural burial cemetery, Walawaani Way in Bodalla, aims to reforest disused farmland

20 minutes ago

‘What are the current policies going to cost?’: John Anderson on Labor’s energy plan

20 minutes ago

What kind of return could I expect by investing $200 monthly into ASX shares?

20 minutes ago

SpaceX Dragon capsule on display ahead of joining space shuttle LA exhibit

20 minutes ago

Jeremy Renner goes shirtless, revealing scars from near-fatal snowplow accident: 'I look great!'

20 minutes ago

DAILY MAIL COMMENT: How much has Labour truly changed?

20 minutes ago

Video: He does exercise! Kyle Sandilands attempts to ride a bike around Sydney after revealing his shock weight live on-air

20 minutes ago

Video: Elsa Hosk lifts up her dress to show off her abs in a skimpy blue bikini during summer getaway

24 minutes ago

BHP rejects hydrogen and hybrids, backs electric trucks

25 minutes ago

EV maker Rivian gets $6.8 billion lifeline in joint venture with Volkswagen

27 minutes ago

‘What on earth is going on?’: Labor Senator crosses the floor on Palestine vote

27 minutes ago

There are better ways to protest climate change than spray painting Stonehenge

27 minutes ago

Portugal is among the worst affected countries as climate change ramps up extreme wildfires

27 minutes ago

Collagen-boosting recipes

27 minutes ago

OpenAI's CTO treats creativity like a problem to be solved — and that itself is the problem