[ECO]Big Oil Fears Kamala Harris Climate Prosecution

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Environmental groups are calling for Kamala Harris climate prosecution to take on Big Oil if elected president.

Environmental advocates are calling for Vice President Kamala Harris climate prosecution to take on Big Oil companies over alleged climate disinformation if she becomes president. These activists believe Harris’s background as California’s attorney general makes her well-suited to pursue legal action against fossil fuel corporations through the Department of Justice.

The push comes as 40 U.S. states and municipalities have already filed lawsuits against oil companies, accusing them of deliberately spreading false information about climate change. However, the federal government has yet to take similar action, despite President Joe Biden’s campaign promises to prioritize climate issues. A Kamala Harris climate prosecution would correct this problem.

Richard Wiles, president of the

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, expressed frustration with the current administration’s approach, stating, “We get the sense that [Attorney General] Merrick Garland has no interest in pursuing this issue.” This perceived lack of action has led some environmental groups to look to Harris as a potential champion for their cause.

Jamie Henn, director of Fossil Free Media, recently described Harris as the “perfect person” to prosecute such a case. Henn suggests that as president, Harris could empower federal regulators to target alleged price gouging by oil companies and appoint an attorney general willing to spearhead a new lawsuit on behalf of the Justice Department.

Harris’s record as California’s attorney general from 2011 to 2017 provides context for these expectations. To Kamala Harris climate prosecution is not new ground. During her tenure, she launched an investigation into ExxonMobil’s framing of climate risks and secured a major indictment against Plains All-********* Pipeline for an oil spill in Santa Barbara. Harris also played a key role in obtaining a $15 billion settlement from Volkswagen over emissions testing ****** and a $14 million settlement from BP subsidiaries related to leaking underground fuel storage tanks.

Her aggressive stance extended to other major players in the fossil fuel industry. Harris pursued legal action against ConocoPhillips for air quality violations at their gas stations and filed lawsuits against Chevron and the Southern California Gas Company. In a move that impressed some environmental advocates, she even successfully sued the Obama administration over plans to permit fracking in the Pacific Ocean off California’s coast.

During her 2019 presidential primary campaign, Kamala Harris voiced support for climate litigation. She told Mother Jones that the Justice Department should “absolutely” investigate fossil fuel companies for “creating incredible harm in our communities,” adding, “It’s about having the conviction to take these guys into court and to hold them accountable.”

However, Harris’s stance on environmental issues has not been entirely consistent. Recently, she stated that she would not ban fracking if elected president, contradicting statements she made in 2019. In 2015, as California’s attorney general, she filed an opinion claiming a statewide fracking ban would be ********.

These conflicting positions have led some environmentalists to view Harris with a mix of hope and caution. Henn commented, “We’ve seen two different sides of Kamala Harris: she’s a really inspiring candidate when she embraces progressive issues and picks big fights, and then she can fall flat when she becomes too cautious.”

Advocates for climate accountability argue that a Kamala Harris climate prosecution federal lawsuit would be more impactful than state and municipal efforts. Wiles believes that action from the Justice Department could prevent the fossil fuel industry from circulating misleading claims about the climate crisis and halt greenwashing practices. He emphasized the department’s greater resources and authority compared to state attorneys general.

The ********* Petroleum Institute, representing the oil and gas industry, dismissed calls for Harris to focus on climate accountability as a “distraction.” In a statement, the organization said, “Any future administration should be focused on building on the progress the US has made in leading the world in both energy production and emissions reductions.”

Supporters of

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benefits for Harris if she commits to pursuing the fossil fuel industry. Henn suggests such a move could energize young voters and even appeal to Republicans concerned about corporate overreach. A survey by Data for Progress earlier this year found that a majority of voters support climate accountability litigation.

Legal experts draw parallels between potential climate litigation and past cases against the tobacco industry. In the 1990s, major tobacco companies faced lawsuits for concealing the health risks of smoking. These cases resulted in significant settlements and changes in industry practices, providing a potential blueprint for climate litigation. However, critics argue that the comparison is flawed, as the use of fossil fuels is more deeply embedded in the global economy than tobacco use.

Internationally, several countries have taken steps to

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accountable for climate change. In the Netherlands, a court ordered Royal Dutch Shell to cut its

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emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. This landmark ruling in 2021 marked the first time a company was legally obliged to align its policies with the Paris climate accords. Similar cases are being pursued in other ********* countries, Australia, and Canada, potentially setting precedents for U.S. action.

Public opinion on climate change and corporate accountability has shifted significantly in recent years. A 2023 Gallup poll found that 64% of Americans believe global warming is caused by human activities, up from 57% in 2019. Additionally, a Yale Program on Climate Change Communication survey revealed that 60% of Americans believe fossil fuel companies should pay for a portion of global warming damages, indicating growing support for climate accountability measures.

As the 2024 election approaches, environmental groups will be closely watching Harris’s statements and policy positions on climate issues. Her past record suggests a willingness to confront powerful industries, but her recent moderation on some environmental stances has introduced uncertainty about her future approach.

The debate over holding fossil fuel companies accountable for

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continues to evolve, with a potential Kamala Harris climate prosecution by the federal government remaining a key point of discussion among environmental advocates, policymakers, and industry representatives.

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