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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Jiayu Liang,  jliang@ucsusa.org

UCS Experts Available Ahead of US House Hearing on Fossil Fuel Industry Climate Pledges

WASHINGTON

At 10 a.m. EST tomorrow, February 8, the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform will hold a hearing with climate experts and environmental advocates to examine the fossil fuel industry's climate pledges. This hearing is part of the committee's investigation into fossil fuel industry climate disinformation, through which four major oil and gas companies and two trade associations have been subpoenaed following testimony by their CEOs at a congressional hearing last October.

While oil and gas companies have been rolling out emissions reduction pledges, their actions fall far short of what science says is needed to limit the worst effects of climate change. Furthermore, all four of the CEOs who testified last October refused to commit not to spend corporate funds on climate disinformation or opposition to climate action.

This week's hearing will lay the groundwork for a planned hearing on March 8 with board members of BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell, which was rescheduled after four of the five invitees declined to appear at tomorrow's hearing. The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) has climate and accountability experts available who can speak to these hearings, the latest climate research, and fossil fuel industry disinformation:

  • Kathy Mulvey, the accountability campaign director at UCS, will be following the hearing live. She is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Click here to view her full biography.
  • Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, the director of climate science and a senior climate scientist at UCS. She is based in Washington, D.C. Click here to view her full biography.
  • Dr. Rachel Licker, a senior climate scientist at UCS. She is based in Madison, Wisconsin. Click here to view her full biography.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange an interview with one of our experts, please contact UCS Communications Officer Jiayu Liang at jliang@ucsusa.org or +1 216-956-2798.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is the leading science-based nonprofit working for a healthy environment and a safer world. UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices.