Thread by @BBuchman_CNS

House lawmakers aren't only focused on the #ImpeachmentInquiry. Today a subcommittee meets to examine the oil industry's efforts to suppress information about #ClimateChange. We'll hear from a former Exxon scientist, a former Exxon consultant, a Harvard science prof. & others.

https://twitter.com/BBuchman_CNS/status/1187014388680671234

You can read all of the internal Exxon memos here: climatefiles.com/exxon-knew/

Another note, Chip Roy at the top of his remarks today, said he "didn't understand" why the House subcommittee on civil rights and civil liberties was holding the hearing about Exxon's history of lies on climate. What was the relevance, was essentially his question.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif. explained why to Roy.
"People of color are disproportionately impacted by climate change, people in urban areas. Where do we see high rates of asthma, clean water, clean air? Minority communities."

"Where do people pay a disproportionate amount of their income to keep houses cooler? In minority communities. Yes, they are disproportionately impacted first and foremost, but we wont be the last," Gomez said.

"People in rural areas: if you don’t think climate is coming to your district or communities, think again... A denial of science leads to a denial that we can actually tackle this problem," Gomez said.

"I’m glad this committee is bringing up this issue in terms of civil rights because communities of color are often the ones left behind," he added.

Also testifying today: Mandy Gunasekara. She founded Energy 45 after resigning from the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation in February. (h/t to Center for Responsive Politics for the resignation letter: documentcloud.org/documents/5734…)

Energy 45 is a registered non profit group that lobbies on the core principles of the Trump admin's business-first energy agenda.

Today, she was lobbed softball questions from Rep. Comer during the #Exxon evidence of suppression hearing.

Rep Comer said: "Environmental activists acknowledge one of their goals is to encourage strategic litigation that would bring internal documents into the public domain
and used to develop negative narratives. Are these lawsuits in best public interest?"

Gunasekara replied: "No, I don’t believe they’re good for the American people. When it comes to what they purport to do, it has no relative impact. Whether you’re talking about these frivolous lawsuits protesting keystone XL Pipeline or encouraging divestment...

"That has no real impact on the environment and does nothing to advance the interest of American people," she said.

More on this former Trump admin official from June:
washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost…

Dr. Naomi Oreskes, a Harvard University professor, had words for Gunesakara after Rep Jamie Raskin posed a question about the evolution of climate change denialism.
Has anyone studied those changes, he asked.

Oreskes: "Yes, in our work we have. And we’ve witnessed this in the last few minutes. One of the denial talking points is that climate carbon pricing will increase the price of energy. That's false, it wont increase price of energy, it will increase the price of carbon-bsd energy

She continues: "The point is to level the playing field. Fossil fuel has received giant subsidies to allow them to compete on a 'level playing field.'" She points to an example: "We used a pricing system to deal with acid rain, that was brought in by Pres George H.W. Bush."

He introduced a pricing system for pollution, she says. It was an emissions trading system and everyone who was opposed said it would specifically increase the price of electricity. But guess what? The price of electric fell and we cleaned up acid rain."

Then Oreskes notes how the now-shuttered George C. Marshal Institute, attacked climate scientists (Background: eenews.net/stories/106002…) and how when it closed, it morphed into the CO2 Coalition, which Energy 45 is part of.

This exchange: @AOC asked Gunasekara if she knew CO2 Coalition was funded by the Mercers and Kochs. Gunasekara says she's "not familiar with the makings of the institution, only recently on board as an adviser." AOC presses.

AOC: "So you may be unwitting to the fact that they're funded by them. Are you aware the Koch bros. own oil refineries throughout the U.S. and control 4000+miles of oil infrastructure? Do you think their role in their advancing of CO2 Coalition is tied heir financial interests?"

Gunasekara: "My engagement is not unwitting. It is active, inspired & educated."
AOC:"So you knowingly work for the Koch Bros?"
Gunasek.: "They've provided a platform for reality &context"
AOC: "Thank you for your testimony that you aren't unwittingly working for the Koch bros."

There is quite a bit to unpack here today. Story to come for @CourthouseNews.

@CourthouseNews NEW: Exxon Faces Scrutiny in Congress as New York Trial Unfolds
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