In response to sky-high gasoline prices, over 30 groups — including Greenpeace USA, Climate Justice Alliance, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, 350 Action, and Texas Campaign for the Environment — are calling on every member of Congress who has received campaign contributions from the oil and gas industry to donate an equivalent amount to a charity helping low-income families in their districts and around the country.
The letter, which was sent to members of Congress today, points to record high campaign investments for the oil and gas industry totaling nearly $140 million in the 2020 election cycle and decades of Big Oil contributions to politicians’ campaigns to delay and defeat real energy solutions that could lower energy costs for families.
Seth Laxman, climate campaigner at Greenpeace U.S.A. said:
“Our recent analysis found that the U.S. upstream oil and gas industry will net an additional $37 to $126 billion in 2022. Oil companies aren’t trying to reduce gasoline prices, they want to maximize profits for their shareholders and CEOs. It’s time for politicians to stop being influenced by Big Oil’s money and reject any future campaign contributions. They can also provide real assistance to those who are suffering the most from these skyrocketing gasoline prices by donating an amount equal to any past contributions to charity.
“American taxpayers currently foot the bill for up to $15 billion in direct federal subsidies to the fossil fuel industry every year and in 2020 big fossil fuel companies claimed $8.2 billion in 2020 from the CARES Act pandemic relief bill. After enjoying all these taxpayer-funded benefits they’re jacking up the costs on families.”
Click here to view the full letter
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Media contact:
Tyler Kruse
Senior Communications Specialist, Greenpeace USA
[email protected]
