Left-wing dark money groups ramp up pressure on House and Senate Dems against key industry: ‘No Immunity’
Environmental groups with ties to anti-Israel groups, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and billionaire mega-donors are ramping up pressure on Democratic congressional leadership to pursue an agenda of “no immunity” for the fossil fuel industry. In a letter addressed to Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, nearly 200 environmental organizations are urging Democrats to reject any proposal that would shield fossil fuel companies from legal and legislative efforts to hold them accountable for their role in the climate crisis.
Among the signatories is the Westchester People’s Action Coalition (WESPAC), a group that has ties to Students for Justice in Palestine, a pro-Palestine organization known for orchestrating anti-Israel protests. WESPAC has been criticized for its anti-Israel rhetoric, including accusations of “apartheid,” “ethnic cleansing,” and “war crimes.” The group has also been linked to liberal megadonor George Soros, raising questions about its funding sources.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), one of the largest environmentalist groups in the nation, is also backing the call for “no immunity” for the fossil fuel industry. However, the NRDC has faced allegations of having ties to the Chinese Communist Party, with its president and CEO, Manish Bapna, serving on the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED). These allegations have raised concerns about the NRDC’s independence and objectivity.
Despite these allegations, NRDC spokesperson Bob Deans emphasized the importance of holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for the damage it causes to the environment and public health. He stressed that the NRDC operates independently and does not take direction from any government, including the CCP.
Other foreign-funded groups, including Extinction Rebellion and the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI), have also joined the push for “no immunity” for the fossil fuel industry. CCI, which has received substantial funding from billionaire donors like the Rockefeller Family Fund and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, advocates for holding climate polluters financially responsible for the damage they cause.
Similarly, Extinction Rebellion has been involved in disruptive activities aimed at raising awareness about the climate crisis. The group has faced criticism for its tactics, including blocking traffic and interfering with public events.
In addition, 350.org, a group funded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg’s philanthropy, has also thrown its support behind the call to hold fossil fuel companies accountable. The group is backed by the Tides Foundation, which has been linked to funding pro-Palestine groups like the Adalah Justice Project.
Overall, the push for “no immunity” for the fossil fuel industry reflects a growing trend among environmental groups to hold corporations accountable for their impact on the environment. By pressuring Democratic congressional leadership, these groups are seeking to advance a more aggressive climate agenda and ensure that polluters are held responsible for their actions.
