Washington, D.C. -Rep. Carolyn B. Maloney, Chairwoman of the Oversight and Reform Committee, and Rep. Ro Khanna, Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Environment, sent letters to the five members of the Boards of Directors of four fossil fuel companies the Chairs previously invited to a hearing scheduled for February 8, demanding their testimony at a hearing on March 8. After four of the invitees declined to appear on the scheduled date, the Committee split the planned hearing into two parts to accommodate their testimony. A hearing featuring their testimony is scheduled for March 8, 2022.
“If these fossil fuel companies were really taking meaningful steps to curb dangerous emissions, their boards of directors would be eager to testify before the Committee when requested, and speak to the American people," said Chairwoman Maloney. “I am disappointed that is not the case. Our hearing next week will feature climate science experts who will tell us exactly what these companies need to do to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. The Big Oil companies should consider the March hearing their last chance to cooperate. If their board members refuse to appear, they should expect further action from this Committee."
“Despite attempts to delay, I look forward to questioning Big Oil board members under oath. It’s no surprise that the Big Oil CEOs denied wrongdoing and refused to stop funding climate disinformation," said Subcommittee Chairman Khanna. “But these members are scientists and activists, people that understand the severity of our current situation and have previously called for action. Now, they will face a choice. Will they contradict their CEOs and admit more must be done on climate or will they chose fealty? Their answers will provide a behind the scenes look at the internal discussions occurring at these companies. If the members do not provide them voluntarily, all options are on the table."
The Chairs plan to move forward with the hearing on February 8, 2022, to examine the fossil fuel industry’s climate pledges. The Committee will hear from climate experts on whether these pledges will truly reduce global warming-or instead are simply another effort by oil and gas companies at “greenwashing" their role in climate change.
As an accommodation to the invited board members, the Chairs have rescheduled their testimony for March 8, 2022. The Chairs made clear that the fossil fuel companies must complete their productions of all records responsive to the Committee’s Nov. 2, 2021, subpoena in advance of the rescheduled testimony.
