Left-Wing Dark Money Groups Push Democrats to Deny Protections for Fossil Fuel Industry

Environmental groups tied to anti-Israel organizations, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and billionaire donors are ramping up pressure on Democrats in Congress to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for its role in climate change.

Nearly 200 environmental organizations signed a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, urging them to reject any proposals that would shield fossil fuel companies from legal and legislative accountability. The letter emphasized the principle of "no immunity" for the industry, calling for consequences for its contributions to the climate crisis.

Among the signatories were notable groups like the Westchester People's Action Coalition (WESPAC) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). WESPAC, which has financial ties to liberal megadonor George Soros, has been criticized for its anti-Israel rhetoric and support for pro-Palestine protests. Meanwhile, the NRDC has faced scrutiny from Republican lawmakers for its alleged connections to the CCP, with claims that the group acts as "a mouthpiece for Chinese propaganda."

NRDC's president, Manish Bapna, defended the organization's stance, stating that "polluters should pay for the harm they cause." He emphasized that the NRDC operates independently and does not take direction from any government, foreign or domestic.

Foreign-funded groups like Extinction Rebellion and the Center for Climate Integrity (CCI) also joined the effort, advocating for financial accountability from fossil fuel companies. CCI has promoted congressional investigations into the industry’s alleged climate deception, while Extinction Rebellion has gained notoriety for disruptive protests, including blocking traffic and interfering with major events like the U.S. Open.

Additional signatories included 350.org, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, and groups backed by the Tides Foundation, which has supported pro-Palestinian initiatives. The Tides Foundation stated its commitment to diverse approaches to environmental equity while condemning antisemitism, Islamophobia, and hate speech.

The coordinated push highlights the growing influence of activist groups on Democratic lawmakers to adopt a more aggressive stance against fossil fuel companies. Whether this pressure will translate into concrete legislative action remains to be seen.