by Emily Holden, The Guardian
Highlights
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) released data showing that oil and gas drillers, coal mine operators, refiners, and pipeline companies have taken advantage of federal coronavirus aid
- Companies include: Navajo Transitional Energy Company, CCU Coal and Construction, Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, and thousands more
- Four companies that received aid were recently listed in the top 10 drilling rig operators in Texas
- The estimated $3 billion in aid taken by these companies is thought to be a lower estimation than what was actually given. It is expected that the actual dollar amount is closer to $7 billion
- Though these businesses were not exempt from receiving aid funds, all of the aid should’ve gone to smaller business, not giant polluting corporations
- Jesse Coleman, a researcher for Documented, believes that giving aid to the oil industry is a waste of taxpayer money:
“We should not be wasting taxpayer dollars on an industry that’s in a tailspin of its own making, especially when it seems intent on bringing the whole planet down with it.”
- California biofuel company Pacific Ethanol also received aid funds even though they have a long history of environmental violations
Fossil fuel divestment and the transition to 100% clean energy is critical to achieving The Climate Center’s goals under the Climate-Safe California Platform.
Read More: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/07/fossil-fuel-industry-coronavirus-aid-us-analysis
Nina Turner
Energy Programs and Communications CoordinatorJanina is a graduate of the Energy Management and Design program at Sonoma State University with experience in non-profits that specialize in sustainability and volunteerism.
