News & Analysis
February 24, 2021
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said this week that “nothing could be so important” as the U.S. Department of Justice taking action to hold Exxon and other oil and gas companies accountable “for lying to the American public about the devastating effects of these products on climate change.”
He also urged Judge Merrick Garland, President Biden’s nominee to serve as the next U.S. Attorney General, to consider what action the department could take in light of the growing number of climate accountability lawsuits from state attorneys general and President Biden’s pledges to support holding the oil and gas industry accountable for lying about climate change.
Today I urged Judge Garland to follow AGs like @AGWilliamTong’s lead & consider DOJ action to hold polluters accountable for misleading the public about climate change. Lying to the American people about the devastating effects of fossil fuels on our planet can't go unchecked. pic.twitter.com/zKfzuqPlLA
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) February 23, 2021
And unlike some past nominees who have come in front of the Judiciary Committee, Merrick Garland has no doubt that humans have contributed to climate change. pic.twitter.com/tBd2AuCypl
— Richard Blumenthal (@SenBlumenthal) February 23, 2021
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, who last year sued ExxonMobil for consumer fraud, was quick to say his office would welcome support from the federal government.
Thank you @SenBlumenthal for highlighting the work of state AGs in the fight to protect our climate.
— AG William Tong (@AGWilliamTong) February 23, 2021
Our office is ready to work with you and our federal partners to hold ExxonMobil accountable for their campaign of climate deception. https://t.co/SlxqbIYADG
Cover image by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Flickr.
