Oil Change International responds to lifting of the crude export ban

“Just days after we all were given new hope in Paris, the empire has struck back. Congress’ response to an historic climate deal?  Incentivize further oil production.  It’s hard to imagine a clearer example of how far politics still has to go on climate in order to catch up with the science.

This deal to lift the export ban is a disaster for the climate and for American communities that our children will view as a cynical indictment of a corrupt political system not yet willing to confront the powerful interests behind the climate crisis.

The good news is that the rebellion confronting Big Oil’s empire is more powerful outside the halls of Congress than within them.  If they want to expand production, they are going to have to build more infrastructure, and we will be there fighting permit approvals and blocking construction with our bodies if need be. Bring it, Big Oil.

To get truly serious about addressing climate change, Washington must end the billions in subsidies going to the industry and move to keep fossil fuels in the ground by banning drilling offshore and ending the fossil fuel leasing program on public lands.

The best science is clear that we must leave the vast majority of existing fossil fuel reserves in the ground. Paris was a clear signal that world leaders, businesses, citizens, and even the markets are coming to terms with this. If Congress refuses to, it is going to drag the entire country and economy down with it as it clings to last century’s dirty energy.

When it comes to the “deal” – the extension on wind and solar tax credits appears weak: a lot was given up and little was gained for climate champions in this agreement.

Importantly, this move guts any remaining credibility of Big Oil when it pretends to be on the side of everyday Americans. They just took the first law designed to promote energy independence and repealed it, all in the name of desperate attempts to increase profits. I never, ever again, want to hear any oil industry spokesperson or ally talk about their role in energy independence. They just chopped off their own last leg on that one.”