ICYMI: New Study Finds Opposition to Wind Energy Funded by Big Oil & Far-Right Think Tanks

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new study from the National Academy of Sciences found that many of the small groups driving anti-wind energy messages and campaigns are bankrolled by Big Oil companies via far-right think tanks. The study confirms what we already know – that Big Oil giants like ExxonMobil, Marathon, and Chevron are behind a full-scale disinformation attack that pushes false narratives to undermine support for clean energy. The NAS study found that oil and gas disinformation leans into environmental injustices, leveraging wealthier, whiter communities to oppose wind projects, which in turn slows a transition away from oil and gas projects in poorer communities and communities of color. 

“At this point, Big Oil seems to trade in disinformation as much as it does fossil fuels. Clean energy is a win for communities – investing in it means lower bills, more reliability when we need it most, and good-paying jobs that don’t require four-year degrees,” said Climate Power senior advisor for oil and gas Alex Witt. “Clean energy is good for people and bad for Big Oil’s record profits and CEO’s mutimillion-dollar paychecks. We know that the industry and their Republican allies will continue to spread disinformation to cheat hard-working families out of a good deal.”

These industry-backed lies have gained traction in right-wing circles – most recently, Donald Trump went on a tirade, blaming wind energy for killing whales. There is no evidence to support the claim, but that’s never stopped Trump before.