FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2019
CONTACT:
Collin Rees, 308-293-3159, collin [at] priceofoil.org
Oil Change U.S. response to Bernie Sanders’ climate platform to ban new fossil fuel infrastructure, end polluting exports, and generate millions of jobs
Yesterday, presidential contender Bernie Sanders released his plan to combat climate change and pass a Green New Deal, committing to ban fracking, new fossil fuel infrastructure, and fossil fuel leases on public lands, and end the export of coal, natural gas, and crude oil. In response, Collin Rees, Senior Campaigner at Oil Change U.S., issued the following statement:
“Directly confronting the fossil fuel industry must be a key part of any Green New Deal to tackle climate change. That’s why it’s great to see Senator Sanders’ new climate platform hit the industry where it hurts by banning new fossil fuel infrastructure, stopping fracking, banning fossil fuel leases on public lands, and ending polluting exports. Any climate plan must ensure the transition to a fossil-free economy protects workers and vulnerable communities, which is why Sanders’ commitment to a transition to family-sustaining wage and union jobs is crucial.
“Along with Senator Warren’s commitment to ban new fossil fuel leases on public lands on Day One, this plan from Senator Sanders means we’re seeing the bar for climate leadership raised to new heights. Other presidential contenders should follow suit and get serious about plans for a equitable phase-out of fossil fuels and an end to dirty infrastructure. That’s why Oil Change is joining progressive allies in asking the Democratic Party to hold a debate focused on the climate crisis and candidates’ plans to confront the fossil fuel industry and ensure a just transition.”
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Notes to Editors:
– Sen. Sanders’ climate position can be found here:
https://berniesanders.com/issues/combat-climate-change-and-pass-a-green-new-deal/
– Sen. Warren’s policy position on public lands can be found here: https://medium.com/@teamwarren/my-plan-for-public-lands-e4be1d88a01c
– Research by Oil Change International has found that without government action to limit fossil fuel production, including on public lands, the U.S. is poised for a massive expansion of drilling and carbon pollution: http://priceofoil.org/2019/01/16/report-drilling-towards-disaster/
PAID FOR BY OIL CHANGE U.S., WWW.OILCHANGEUS.ORG, NOT AUTHORIZED BY ANY CANDIDATE, CANDIDATE’S AUTHORIZED POLITICAL COMMITTEE, OR CANDIDATE’S AGENTS.
Many of the candidates spout about social issues and such but none of these matter if the elephant in the room, climate change, is not of primary importance. This is an existential threat and the religious right not-with-standing, if it is not addressed in the next election we as a species and including most others which still exist will disappear.