Climate and Environment

Matthew Yglesias wants the government to get cozier with Big Oil. Here’s three quick reasons why he’s got it backwards:

The Clean Air Act (CAA) has been fiercely opposed by polluters and their allies since its passage in 1970. Industry has never quite stopped fighting to prevent the government from protecting American lives and communities at the expense of even a bit of their profits. But over the past few years, opposition to the law has reached new feverish heights. Multiple cases seeking to gut the CAA have been filed by (or with the support of) oil and gas organizations, their dark-money front groups, and their political allies since 2022. 

The Revolving Door Project has previously proposed that the Biden administration pass an executive order enshrining a strongest-ever ethics commitment for executive branch political appointees. Among other things, this commitment would include a pledge not to own individual stocks while in public office. A new Inspector General report on the ethical minefield of a high-level EPA appointee who owns dozens of individual companies’ stocks demonstrates why this sort of simple, clear ethics rule is essential for increasing trust in government.

If Shondaland is ever looking to do a “How To Get Away With Murder” spin-off, we would humbly propose a remake about the lobbyists pushing to preserve lead pipes and forever chemicals in our water, to keep fracking near homes and schools, to keep power plants burning coal and gas, to keep car tailpipes polluting, and so on.

Labor Day is just around the corner, marking the unofficial end to an incredibly eventful summer in politics. It’s basically the last chance for a little reprieve before we’re inundated with the endless punditry and forecasting that accompanies the lead-up to a presidential election. So, before looking forward to November, let’s take a look back at some great research and writing that my RDP colleagues produced throughout the summer. You’ll be forgiven if some of this slipped past you in the chaos of the past two months. Luckily, in true summer reading fashion, you still have one week to cram before summer ends on Labor Day. Enjoy!

Gas industry influence groups Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future and the Partnership to Address Global Emissions (PAGE Coalition) are reportedly hosting an event on Capitol Hill on Tuesday with Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA). The event seeks to bring attention to a new report they’re releasing downplaying the lifecycle emissions of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the Energy Department works to update its impact analysis for permitting new gas exports. Founded and funded by LNG industry players, the groups are vocal proponents of expanding methane gas exports, aiming to frame exports as a climate solution despite their outsized greenhouse gas emissions and toxic local air pollution. 

After a long 4th of July weekend, we figure this a good time to take a look back at the important work we’ve fired off over the last month or so. From analyses of Trump’s executive tenure to a take-down of a Big Oil myth pushed by compromised Democrats, here’s another edition of an RDP Work Roundup for you to digest along with your leftovers from holiday barbecues.