Washington, D.C. — Following news that the House Oversight Committee called for major oil companies including BP, Exxon, Chevron, and Royal Dutch Shell to testify about Big Oil’s ongoing efforts to impede progress on protecting the climate, government watchdog Accountable.US released the following statement on behalf of its president, Kyle Herrig:  

“For too long, Big Oil has failed to answer for its efforts to misinform and mislead the public against popular, long-needed investments in climate solutions — all while attempting to paint themselves as environmental advocates. These polluters have long proven they’re more concerned with boosting their executives’ bottom lines than with protecting the climate. The only question is: will they defend their harmful actions before Congress? Or will they again refuse to answer to the American people?” 

The committee’s call to hear from oil and gas industry leaders comes after leaders from Exxon, Devon Energy, and EOG Resources failed to answer an invitation to testify from the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations in May. 

It also comes as the American Petroleum Institute launched a new seven-figure ad campaign to sway the public against the Biden administration’s widely-popular Build Back Better plan, which would make crucial investments in child care, education, and climate action. See HERE for more on how Big Oil’s rhetoric on reconciliation doesn’t line up with reality.

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