Groups demand ExxonMobil be debarred

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday the Waterkeeper Alliance solicitó the Environmental Protection Agency asking it to debar ExxonMobil for its effort to intentionally mislead the American public about climate change. The petition comes in the wake of an exposé by Inside Climate News into ExxonMobil’s knowledge of climate change. ExxonMobil is currently being investigated by the Attorney Generals of Massachusetts and New York for potentially lying to consumers and investors about climate change. Donald Trump has named ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson as his Secretary of State.

Friends of the Earth’s Climate and Energy Program Director Ben Schreiber offered the following statement in support of Waterkeeper Alliance’s petition:

Friends of the Earth supports Waterkeeper Alliance’s effort to protect the American people by demanding that the federal government banish ExxonMobil from its contractor list.

In its pursuit of profits, ExxonMobil has lied for decades to the American people about the climate impacts of its operations. This company’s funding of climate denial has hindered efforts to address our climate crisis. The U.S. government should not be doing business with corporations that spread lies harmful to our health, climate and national security.

The EPA set an important precedent when it debarred BP following its negligence in the DeepWater Horizon spill. Now it should debar ExxonMobil.  

Unfortunately, Donald Trump seems enamored with ExxonMobil’s deceitful business practices. By nominating ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State, Trump has made it clear that as president he intends to rob the American public and give to corporate polluters. Friends of the Earth urges the EPA to hear Waterkeeper Alliance’s request to prevent the environmentally destructive consequences of ExxonMobil’s empowerment.  

###

Contacto experto: Ben Schreiber, (202) 222-0752, [email protected]
Contacto de comunicaciones: Kate Colwell, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]