‘ExxonMobil Knew. They Lied,’ Bernie Says at Debate. ‘They Should Be Held Criminally Accountable.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. —

At last night’s Democratic presidential debate, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders pledged again to “take on” the fossil fuel industry if elected president. 

“Do we take on the fossil fuel industry?” Sanders said. “Look, in terms of the fossil fuel industry, these guys have been lying. 

“They’ve been lying for years like the tobacco industry lied 50 years ago: ‘Oh we don’t know if, if fossil fuels, if oil, if carbon emissions, are causing climate change.’ 

“They knew! ExxonMobil knew. They lied. In fact, I think they should be held criminally accountable.” 

Watch video of his comments here: 

Richard Wiles, executive director of the Center for Climate Integrity, released the following statement: 

“It’s getting harder and harder for Big Oil to cover up its decades of deception. Both Sanders and Biden have pledged to hold Big Oil accountable for lying about the climate crisis.

“Just like tobacco companies, Big Oil spent decades lying to the public to protect their profits, while communities suffered and paid the price for the industry’s deception.

“Whoever the Democratic nominee is, if elected, they need to keep their promise to make Big Oil pay for lying about climate change.” 

During a February debate in Las Vegas, former Vice President Joe Biden was asked how we would hold the fossil fuel industry accountable: 

Watch video of Biden’s comments here: