Press Releases

Nicole Malliotakis’ Dependence on Big Oil and Gas Is Preventing Action on Climate Change

Oct 01, 2020

Malliotakis has taken $60,000 from Big Oil and Gas this election cycle 

Devastating wildfires. Polluted air. Rising sea levels. Endangered public lands. Climate change is real and it is causing irreparable damage to communities across the country, including New York. Despite the dire warnings from scientists, corrupt politicians continue to prevent any meaningful action on climate change. The reason behind this inaction is politicians like Nicole Malliotakis who betray their constituents by taking campaign checks from Big Oil and Gas and do their bidding in Congress. Just this election cycle, Malliotakis has taken $60,000 from the oil and gas industry.

Americans want action on climate change:
70% of Americans understand climate change is happening and believe it is “important.” 69% of Americans – including a majority of Republicans – believe the U.S. needs to take “aggressive” action to fight climate change. 78% of Americans believe the government should invest more to develop clean energy sources.

But the energy special interests spend big on politicians:
Since the 2010 Citizens United decision, the energy sector has spent $738 million in campaign contributions. 10 of 17 of the biggest corporate contributions to outside groups in the 2018 cycle came from oil & gas companies. During the 2018 election cycle, the energy sector spent $326 million on lobbying, with nearly 65% of the 1,850 lobbyists hired by the industry coming through the revolving door.

“You can’t expect Nicole Malliotakis to be serious about climate change when her hands are greased with special interest contributions from Big Oil and Gas,” said Tiffany Muller, President of End Citizens United. “These industries and their corporate PACs don’t donate out of generosity – they expect their interests to be protected at all costs, even if it means destroying the environment. It’s nothing but corruption at the expense of New Yorkers’ health and livelihoods.”

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