Oil company leaders testify on climate change in front of House committee

Rep. Carolyn Maloney, House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman: “This is a historic hearing. For the first time top fossil fuel executives are testifying together before Congress under oath about the industry’s role in causing climate change and their efforts to cover it up. For far too long, Big Oil has escaped accountability for its central role in bringing our planet to the brink of a climate catastrophe. That ends today. Big Oil has known the truth about climate change for decades.”

Rep. Ro Khanna, (D) California: “In 1994, the CEOs of the seven largest tobacco companies appeared right here before our committee. They too faced a choice. They chose to lie under oath, denying that nicotine was addictive. As I’m sure you realize, that didn’t turn out too well for them. I hope Big Oil will not follow the same playbook as Big Tobacco. You are powerful leaders at the top of the corporate world at a turning point for our planet. Be better. Spare us the spin today, really, we have no interest in it. Spin doesn’t work under oath.”

Darren Woods, Chief Executive Officer ExxonMobil Corporation: “ExxonMobil has been engaged in policy discussions related to the energy environment for years. Our views on policies and its implications have been guided by our our understanding of the science. We’ve been vocal and transparent in our support for governments to implement policies that are cost effective and achieve the greatest emission reductions at the lowest overall cost to society.”

Michael Wirth, Chief Executive Officer Chevron Corporation: “Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time. At Chevron, we’ve been very clear about where we stand. We accept the scientific consensus. Climate change is real and the use of fossil fuels contributes to it. We are committed to helping address this challenge. I also want to address directly a concern expressed by some of those calling for these hearing, today’s hearing. While our views on climate change have developed over time, any suggestion that Chevron is engaged in an effort to spread disinformation and mislead the public on these complex issues is simply wrong.”

Rep. James Comer, House Oversight and Reform Committee Ranking Member: “The purpose of this hearing is clear to deliver partisan theater for primetime news. Subcommittee Chairman (Rep. Ro) Khanna went to the media threatening subpoenas months before any of the witnesses were even invited to testify. Now, despite receiving well over 100,000 pages of documents from today’s witnesses, Democrats are complaining that no one is cooperating with them. Chairwoman Maloney, this hearing is simply a distraction from the crises that the Biden administration’s policies have caused for the American people.”