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| Headline |
Author |
Published |
Section |
Oil execs' alternate reality
McCain says he trusts Big Oil over energy and economic experts |
Kate Sheppard |
01 Aug 2008 |
Gristmill |
| John McCain said today that he believes what Big Oil says about the amount of oil still available in the United States' outer continental shelf, rather than estimates offered by energy experts, economists, and the government's Energy Information Administration. A questioner in the crowd at the National Urban League conference in Orlando, Fla., asked the Republican presidential candidate about reports that offshore drilling would reap no benefit for consumers for at ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, oil, politics, video (all these topics) |
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A profit without honor
ExxonMobil rakes in record cash, spends only 1 percent on alternative energy |
Kate Sheppard |
31 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| ExxonMobil broke its own record for the highest quarterly earnings in U.S. history, reporting $11.7 billion in profits for the second quarter. And as ABC reports, the company spent only 1 percent of its profits last year on alternative energy sources. 'They're probably spending more on the advertising than they're actually spending on the actual [alternative-energy] research,' says Bernard Picchi, an economist with Wall Street Access. (h/t: Think Progres ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, business, energy, Muckraker, news, oil, video (all these topics) |
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Oil Vey
Oil companies' continued record profits tick off Democrats, consumers |
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31 Jul 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 3:39 PM on 31 Jul 2008 Major oil companies reported ginormous second-quarter profits this week, irking consumers and fueling harsh rhetoric from congressional Democrats. ExxonMobil reported a record-breaking profit of $11.68 billion -- the highest of any U.S. company ever -- besting its own previous record set in the first quarter of this year. Royal Dutch Shell raked in $11.56 billion, BP hit $9.5 billion, ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, business, energy, news, oil and gas drilling (all these topics) |
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The world is full of crashing oil barrels
Ads from Sierra Club and MoveOn hit McCain over energy policy |
Kate Sheppard |
31 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| 'Big Oil companies have our economy and politics in a choke hold,' says a new TV ad released today by the Sierra Club Political Committee. 'They are getting billions from the government, raking in record profits, while we pay more and more for gas.' 'John McCain's answer?' the ad continues. 'Another $4 billion giveaway to Big Oil.' The ad, 'Full Nelson,' shows a family being squashed by oil barrels filled with cash. It goes on to praise Barack Obama (whom the S ... |
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| Topics: advertising, Big Oil, elections, energy, John McCain, Muckraker, news, oil, politics, presidential race 08, video (all these topics) |
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'Rolling in it'
Sierra Club ads defend Dems who are 'standing strong against Big Oil' |
Kate Sheppard |
28 Jul 2008 |
Gristmill |
| The Sierra Club rolled out a new radio ad campaign this weekend that aims to defend Democrats who are being hammered for not supporting efforts to open more areas to oil drilling. Sixty-second ads being aired in six states ask listeners to call and thank these members of Congress for 'standing up to the oil companies': Reps. Chris Carney (D-Pa.), Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), Jerry McNerney (D-Calif.), Carol Shea-Porter (D-N.H.), and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), and Se ... |
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| Topics: advertising, Big Oil, energy, Muckraker, news, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics) |
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Pathetic Justice
Supreme Court slashes Exxon's punitive damages for Valdez oil spill |
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25 Jun 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:37 AM on 25 Jun 2008 ExxonMobil is off the hook for billions in punitive damages related to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. In 1994, the oil giant was ordered to pay $5 billion in punitive damages. In 2006, that amount was cut to $2.5 billion. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court slashed the amount once again, to $507.5 million. By a 5-3 vote (Exxon stockholder Samuel Alito sat out), the court reasoned ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Big Oil, energy, insanity, litigation, news, oil, politics (all these topics) |
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Lord, Hear Our PR
Oil industry turns to PR offensive to diffuse anger over record prices |
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17 Jun 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 7:35 AM on 17 Jun 2008 Faced with angry consumers incensed at high oil and gasoline prices, oil companies in the U.S. and Europe have turned to well-funded PR campaigns in an attempt to shift their image from profit-hungry oil-mongers to responsible innovators fulfilling their duty as energy providers. ExxonMobil has led the most recent effort to sway the public; on June 1, Exxon released a barrag ... |
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| Topics: Big Auto, Big Oil, business, energy, gas prices, news (all these topics) |
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Dick move
Cheney perpetuates myth about China-Cuba oil partnership |
Kate Sheppard |
12 Jun 2008 |
Gristmill |
| During his 'drill, drill, drill' rant yesterday, Dick Cheney complained that Cuba and China are drilling for oil closer to the coast of Florida than American companies are currently allowed. It's become a common talking point for Republicans arguing that more areas should be opened to drilling -- but, reports McClatchy, it appears to be bogus. [N]o one can prove that the Chinese are drilling anywhere off Cuba's shoreline. The China-Cuba connection is 'akin to ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, Cuba, energy, Muckraker, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics (all these topics) |
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Slick Schmooze
Big Oil tries to evade blame for high energy prices |
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21 May 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 1:58 PM on 21 May 2008 It's a cryin' shame that energy prices are so high, but it's totally not Big Oil's fault, top execs at the five largest oil companies told a Senate panel Wednesday. Big guns from BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Exxon, and Shell -- almost all the same rich white guys that gathered at a similar hearing last month -- said the record price of oil is a supply-and-demand problem. It's Congress who should ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, news, US Senate (all these topics) |
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MTBE Cool
Big Oil will shell out for groundwater cleanup |
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08 May 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 8:07 AM on 08 May 2008 Some of the nation's largest oil companies will over the next 30 years have to pay to clean up groundwater befouled with gasoline additive MTBE. In settling a suit brought by 153 public water providers in 17 states, a dozen companies -- including BP, Shell, ConocoPhillips, and Chevron -- will also have to pay a total $423 million cash. If approved, the settlement will be "a step in the direction of ma ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, litigation, news, toxics, water pollution (all these topics) |
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Do as the Bill Says, Not as It Does
Senators both GOP and Dem introduce destined-to-fail legislation |
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07 May 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 2:54 PM on 07 May 2008 Senate Democrats are trying once again to yank $17 billion in tax breaks away from oil companies that are enjoying booming profits. The Consumer-First Energy Act, introduced in the Senate on Wednesday, would also put a 25 percent tax on oil companies that don't invest in renewable energy. Bill cosponsor Harry Reid (D-Nev.) sums up, "Big Oil is making money h ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, legislation, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, politics, US Senate (all these topics) |
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Cries on the Prize
Chevron throws hissy fit that anti-Chevron activists received award |
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15 Apr 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 10:48 AM on 15 Apr 2008 Chevron is throwing a hissy fit over the Goldman Environmental Prize awarded to two Ecuadorian activists who want the oil company to clean up pollution in the Amazon rain forest. Texaco, which was acquired by Chevron in 2001, dumped 18.5 billion gallons of petrochemical waste in the Amazon between 1972 and 1992. Lawyer Pablo Fajardo and community organizer Luis Yanza won the G ... |
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| Topics: Amazon, Big Oil, Ecuador, energy, grassroots activism, heroes, litigation, news, oil, rainforests, water pollution (all these topics) |
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The Brave One
Clinton talks up clean energy at Houston energy summit |
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29 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 1:36 PM on 29 Feb 2008 The Greater Houston Partnership held an energy forum Thursday to which all of the presidential candidates were invited and only one showed up: Hillary Clinton. Surrounded by folks from the energy industry, days before the crucial Texas primary, Clinton elected not to tell Big Oil what it wanted to hear. "I do not believe that now is the time when subsidies for the oil companies are necessa ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, Hillary Clinton, news, politics, presidential race 08, Texas (all these topics) |
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Good Luck, Little Buddy
Renewable-energy bill passes House, likely to be short-lived |
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27 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 2:47 PM on 27 Feb 2008 By a vote of 236-182, the House of Representatives has approved legislation that would boost renewable-energy tax incentives by repealing $18 billion in tax breaks currently enjoyed by oil and gas companies. Take a moment to enjoy that small victory, because the bill faces steep odds in the Senate, and President Bush has promised to veto it. source: Dow Jones < Previous | Ne ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, legislation, news, politics, renewable energy, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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The Damages Done
Exxon will try to convince Supreme Court it's paid enough for oil spill |
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26 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 9:58 AM on 26 Feb 2008 On Wednesday, Exxon Mobil Corp. will try to convince the U.S. Supreme Court that it should not have to pay $2.5 billion in punitive damages to Alaskan folk affected by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. Exxon, which earlier this month posted an annual profit of $40.6 billion, will argue that the $3.4 billion or so that it's paid in cleanup costs and other fines should totally ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Big Oil, energy, news, oil, water pollution (all these topics) |
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Credits Where Credits Are Due
House Democrats make another push for renewable-energy credits |
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13 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 9:54 AM on 13 Feb 2008 Democrats in the House of Representatives have introduced legislation that would extend renewable-energy incentives, which were booted out of both the recent energy bill and the economic stimulus bill. The House legislation would provide tax breaks for investments in energy efficiency and solar, wind, and geothermal power, at an expected cost of $17.5 billion over 10 yea ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, legislation, news, politics, renewable energy, US House of Representatives (all these topics) |
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How Crude
Midwest refineries source more crude from tar sands; emissions will rise |
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12 Feb 2008 |
News |
| Posted at 12:39 PM on 12 Feb 2008 Emissions from Midwest oil refineries are expected to jump by up to 40 percent in the next 10 years, thanks in large part to an industry-wide trend of sourcing crude oil from Canada's tar sands. The sands produce petroleum of such poor quality that it requires more energy -- and thus more pollution -- to process it into usable fuel. The trend flies in the face of national and regi ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, Canada, climate, energy, greenhouse-gas emissions, news, oil (all these topics) |
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What Juneau About That?
Alaska oil-tax bribery scandal widens, may include members of Congress |
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12 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 2:42 PM on 12 Nov 2007 For the last year or so, ugly truths about Alaskan politics have been oozing into the limelight as state and federal officials unravel a scandal involving cash bribes, an oil tax, bowling scores, and sleeping pills. Yes, you heard us right: an oil tax! The founder of an oil-field services company pled guilty this spring to bribery and conspiracy; he's drug several stat ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Big Oil, energy, insanity, news, politics, state politics, Ted Stevens (all these topics) |
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Loophole in the Ground
Activists ask Congress to close regulatory loopholes for oil and gas companies |
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01 Nov 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 5:17 PM on 01 Nov 2007 At a House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing yesterday -- Wait! It's not as boring as it sounds! -- scientists and conservationists asked Congress to plug legislative loopholes that exempt oil and gas companies from some regulatory oversight. Particularly of interest to green and health advocates are exemptions from regulation of a natural-gas ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, news, oil and gas drilling, politics, regulation (all these topics) |
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It's a Fine Day
BP settles three federal investigations |
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26 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 3:14 PM on 26 Oct 2007 Oil giant BP settled three federal investigations yesterday. Drumroll please ... In regards to the 2005 Texas refinery explosion that killed 15 workers, BP will admit it is Beyond Guilty to felony charges of violating the Clean Air Act and not enforcing safety standards, and will pay a $50 million fine. In regards to last year's snafu with leaky oil pipelines in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, the company will plead g ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, litigation, news, politics (all these topics) |
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Winding Up
British government approves world's largest offshore wind farm |
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05 Oct 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 1:23 PM on 05 Oct 2007 Plans for the world's largest offshore wind farm have been approved by the British government. The project, led by Shell and European energy company Eon, would place up to 341 turbines over 90 square miles off the coast of Kent. While it's not a done deal, presumably the biggest regulatory hurdles have been overcome; if all goes well, the farm could supply one-quarter of London's power by ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, news, renewable energy, United Kingdom, wind power (all these topics) |
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Curses, Oiled Again
Chevron ad says renewables are great, oil is greater |
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28 Sep 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 12:14 PM on 28 Sep 2007 A new TV commercial on energy and the environment debuts this weekend. The swooping camera shots of glaciers and freeways will be familiar, but the voice-over may not: "Our lives demand oil." Yes, the 2.5-minute spot, airing in eight languages around the globe, is an effort by Chevron to urge humanity to seek out alternative energy -- while continuing to cling to fossil fuels. Aim ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, business, energy, greenwashing, news, TV (all these topics) |
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Some Systems Go
Big Oil gets OK from Australian state for multi-billion-dollar LNG project |
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07 Sep 2007 |
News |
| Posted at 9:18 AM on 07 Sep 2007 A major energy venture on Western Australia's Barrow Island is one step closer to reality after getting a green light from state environmental officials. Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Royal Dutch Shell propose the development of a massive liquefied natural gas field expected to generate 10 million metric tons per year (which, in non-metric terms, is "a hell of a lot") ... |
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| Topics: Australia, Big Oil, energy, natural gas, news (all these topics) |
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Um, If It's Not Too Much Trouble?
EPA suggests wishy-washy compromise in Indiana BP permit mess |
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15 Aug 2007 |
Daily Grist |
| Um, If It's Not Too Much Trouble? EPA suggests wishy-washy compromise in Indiana BP permit mess Officials from the U.S. EPA have stepped in to quell the furor over a controversial permit the state of Indiana granted to a BP refinery. The permit will allow BP to discharge more ammonia and sludge into Lake Michigan -- at legal limits, but increased over previous amounts. Residents and politicians in Indiana, Illinois, M ... |
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| Topics: Big Oil, energy, Indiana, news, oil (all these topics) |
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Oopsy Daisy
Alaskan study says 2 million gallons of oil, seawater spilled over 10 years |
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13 Aug 2007 |
Daily Grist |
| Oopsy Daisy Alaskan study says 2 million gallons of oil, seawater spilled over 10 years Did you hear about the 2-million-gallon spill in the Alaskan tundra? No, you didn't, because it happened slowly, from different sources, over the course of 10 years. A study by the state's Department of Environmental Conservation says spills on the North Slope between 1995 and 2005 included a 994,40 ... |
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| Topics: Alaska, Big Oil, energy, news, oil, oil and gas drilling, wildlife (all these topics) |
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