“Energy is very much on the ballot here”
Pennsylvania Democratic Attorney General nominee Eugene DePasquale denounced the climate lawfare movement targeting natural gas and oil companies in a Pennsylvania Chamber candidate forum posted Monday.
TRANSCRIPT:
Moderator: “Energy is very much on the ballot here [in Pennsylvania]. Recently Vice President Harris has called on oil and gas companies to pay the price for climate change in some states including municipalities like Bucks County [who] are trying to make them pay the price by bringing lawsuits. Would you support a similar lawsuit on behalf of the Commonwealth?”
DePasquale: “That is not a direction I am looking to go. Look – I am pro Pennsylvania energy.”
“…If I see any company specifically polluting our water or polluting our air, then that is something I will crack down on. That [seeking repayment from energy companies for climate change] is a policy issue, that’s something for the government and the legislature and obviously if the Congress wants to do something like that. Climate change is real, but we need to make sure we have an ‘all-of-the-above strategy.’ That’s why I believe we should not only have fracking in this state but that we should do it in a safe and reliable way with common sense regulations.”
“Simply punishing companies is not going to get us there.” (emphasis added)
The denouncement was particularly notable for DePasquale who has in the past amplified the climate litigation campaign and the need to “take on corporate polluters.”
However, climate lawfare and anti-energy messaging is at odds with voters necessary for electoral success. A recent Commonwealth Foundation poll found that over two-thirds of every demographic breakout supported increased investment in natural gas infrastructure in order to keep energy costs low, while nearly eight in ten voters believed that natural gas drilling is important to the overall condition of Pennsylvania’s economy.
DePasquale’s switch to the center follows trends we’ve seen in other natural gas and oil producing states where Democrats look to collaborate with the industry, rather than demonize it. When faced with questions of support for Boulder’s climate lawsuit in Colorado, Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser, former Governor John Hickenlooper, and current Governor Jared Polis all distanced themselves from the unpopular effort. Similarly, Democratic candidates like PA Senator John Fetterman or Ohio former Senate candidate Tim Ryan reversed past anti-fracking positions to appeal to energy voters.
Perhaps most notable, Vice President and Democratic Presidential nominee Kamala Harris has attempted to backtrack her past hardline energy stances to gain favor with key voters in Pennsylvania and other swing states this election.
Throughout Harris’ 2020 presidential campaign, taking on oil and natural gas companies “very much a theme for her.” She even – falsely – claimed to sue Exxon.
During a CNN town hall, moderator Erin Burnett asked: “So Senator Harris, what would you do? Would you sue them, sue ExxonMobil?”
“Yes,” Sen. Harris responded. “I have sued ExxonMobil!”
This was in fact, false. Fast forward to today, and Harris has embraced record domestic oil and gas production – though the question remains if this shift is legitimate or not.
Climate Litigation in Pennsylvania
The question on climate litigation is set amidst the backdrop of the Rockefeller-funded-and-nationally-coordinated climate litigation campaign attempting to add Pennsylvania as the “cherry on top” of their hypothetical trophy case bankrupting energy companies.
Bucks County became the first municipality to file a climate lawsuit in March, though its lack of transparent process or public vote caused widespread backlash from citizens, business groups, and industry alike – even forcing the sole Republican commissioner to quickly withdraw support. In fact, an August 5th motion to dismiss filed by defendants argues that Bucks County violated Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law through this dark-in-the-night strategy, invalidating the suit. Similarly, the Center for Climate Integrity – the same D.C. based activist group claiming credit for swaying Bucks County – pitched Allegheny County on a climate suit, though no further action has yet to happen.
It’s also not the first time a billionaire-pushed anti-energy effort is causing waves in Pennsylvania. The Rockefellers and Michael Bloomberg have claimed credit for the widely panned LNG export pause which Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans alike have loudly rebuked.
However, DePasquale’s denouncement is in stark contrast to what is happening in nearby Michigan – another must-win state. Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel is causing backlash for moving forward with the state’s forthcoming lawsuit against oil and gas producers, with business and state leaders calling the plan “the economic equivalent to shooting the state of Michigan in the foot.” However, a key difference here is that Nessel is not currently up for re-election.
Bottom Line: Another effort by the Rockefellers to pitch climate litigation is falling flat as the Democratic Attorney General candidate dismissed climate litigation and embraced fracking. The continued bipartisan agreement that natural gas is the lifeblood of Pennsylvania’s economy speaks volumes as to why climate lawfare continues to fail on the merits and in the poll of public opinion.
