Senator Richard Blumenthal Calls on DOJ to Investigate Attempts by Major Oil Companies to Repress Public Climate Change Knowledge

HARTFORD, CT - At a press conference today, Senator Richard Blumenthal called on the Department of Justice to investigate a coordinated campaign by large oil companies to quash information related to the climate crisis. The request for investigation follows new evidence that oil and gas companies knew and repressed information pertaining to the role their products play in warming the planet. Rather than inform the public of the risks, Big Oil knowingly put profits and greed over the health and safety of generations.

In total, 20 members of Congress signed onto the request for the DOJ investigation. The letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland specifically names Shell and ExxonMobil, with the option to include other large fossil fuel companies whose campaigns of deception possibly violate federal laws and constitute a corrupt enterprise.

According to the letter, internal documents released in April confirm that Shell had a “deep, structural understanding of climate change” as early as the 1970s. Shell-sponsored reports published throughout the decade foreshadowed “major climate affects,” “drastic economic consequences,” and “severe stresses on human societies” should CO2 content lead to a greenhouse effect in the Earth’s atmosphere. Despite these reports, Shell publicly promoted fossil fuel usage alongside trade groups, opposed action to combat the budding climate crisis. A recent study by the Science journal, supports similar claims for ExxonMobil. 

Sierra Club Connecticut Chapter Director Samantha Dynowski was in attendance at today’s press conference. She issued the following statement: 

This Summer, Connecticut and communities across the country have experienced the disastrous consequences of a warming planet. It is troubling to know this year’s floods, extreme storms, and unhealthy air quality are just the beginning. It is also troubling to know that Big Oil corporations have prevented real action for decades.

Because, while the consequences may be felt now more than ever, the climate crisis did not begin in 2023. Evidence shows major oil companies were aware of the climate impacts of fossil fuels as early as the late 1970s. However, instead of warning the public, they have, and continue to, spend millions of dollars on disinformation, preventing meaningful climate action while greenwashing their contributions to climate solutions, and threatening sustainable investing.

Connecticut is one of more than two dozen U.S cities and states suing Big Oil and the Sierra Club thanks Attorney General Tong for that action. Today, Sierra Club supports and applauds the call for a DOJ investigation into the deception by major oil corporations. We thank Senator Blumenthal especially, along with the other US Senators and Members of Congress calling for this investigation. We must protect the public and hold Big Oil accountable.