Fossil fuel industry ramps up political spending as investigations stall

Fossil fuel companies poured nearly $100 million into Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign while lobbying against climate regulations, prompting concerns about industry influence and stalled congressional investigations.

Dharna Noor reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Fossil fuel groups contributed a record $96 million to Trump and affiliated PACs in 2023-2024 and spent $243 million lobbying Congress.
Republican control of Congress halted an investigation into oil companies’ history of climate disinformation, which had uncovered internal documents acknowledging industry efforts to mislead the public.
Trump’s administration has appointed multiple officials with deep ties to the fossil fuel sector while rolling back environmental regulations.

Key quote:

"The fossil fuel industry is running perhaps the biggest campaign of disinformation and political interference in American history and they’re backing it up with immense amounts of political spending."

— Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Democratic senator from Rhode Island

Why this matters:

Fossil fuel companies have long influenced American politics, but their record-breaking spending in the 2024 election underscores their role in shaping climate policy. With Republicans in control of Congress, oversight of industry lobbying and disinformation campaigns is unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s pro-oil agenda threatens environmental regulations and climate action. As lawsuits against oil giants progress, state-level investigations may become the last avenue for uncovering the industry's internal strategies.

Learn more: US oil and gas sector pours big money into GOP politics

www.theguardian.com

Fossil fuel industry ramps up political spending as investigations stall

Climate crisis is coming to crush many of world’s best surf breaks, study warns

Climate lawsuits gain ground as governments scale back climate action

The race for lithium is becoming a race for water

The green revolution may be turning purple

Wildfire smoke evolves as it drifts from wilderness to city

US EPA head announces oil and gas emission rules rollbacks during visit to Santa Fe, New Mexico

Inside the web of pro-oil and gas groups shaping Canada’s climate change narrative

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.