Thread regarding ExxonMobil Corp. layoffs

Exxon boss tries to make amends for covert lobbyist tapes
Ben Geman, author of Generate
2 July 2021

Exxon CEO Darren Woods on Friday released his second statement in three days on two lobbyists' covertly recorded comments, another sign of how concern about them has reached the highest levels of the powerful oil giant.

Driving the news: The statement says Exxon is committed to addressing climate change, citing the recent creation of its “Low Carbon Solutions” unit that’s focused on carbon capture tech and hydrogen.

It also says that while Exxon backs a carbon tax, it is "actively and publicly discussing other options, including lower-carbon fuels and other sector-based approaches that would place a uniform, predictable cost on carbon."

Catch up fast: One of lobbyist Keith McCoy’s comments — made on a covert recording by a Greenpeace activist posing as a corporate recruiter — compares lobbying to reeling in lawmakers like fish.

Elsewhere, he said Exxon knew when advocating for a carbon tax that it was highly unlikely one would be enacted, but that it gives Exxon a "talking point."

What's new: On Thursday Greenpeace released more information from its interview with McCoy.

The Hill reports: "A lobbyist for ExxonMobil said that it pushed trade groups to be at the forefront on an issue dealing with a class of toxic chemicals, saying in recordings taken by undercover activists that he didn’t want the company tied to those chemicals."

Woods’ new comment states: "We have great respect for policy makers, elected officials and organizations across the political spectrum who are grappling to effectively address climate change, one of the greatest challenges of our time."

The recorded comments by Greenpeace — which on Wednesday brought the first public apology and disavowal from Woods — are a window into Exxon's lobbying strategy.

By the numbers: The chart above shows the oil giant's quarterly lobbying over the last five years.

While it's millions of dollars for the company that employs many in-house and outside lobbyists, the amounts are lower than some other periods.
For instance, the quarterly totals exceeded $9 million in Q3 of 2008 and Q1 of 2009, Lobbying Disclosure Act records show.

What we're watching: The fallout. Environmental activists are using McCoy's remarks about Exxon's influence on infrastructure legislation to call for aggressive climate measures.

Meanwhile, Bloomberg columnist Liam Denning writes that Exxon could face problems convincing already skeptical investors that it's well-positioned on climate.

"What exactly is [CEO Darren] Woods going to say about that shiny new low-carbon business on the next conference call (or to its employees)? ESG-minded investors won’t likely be impressed by the spectacle of lobbyists smirking as they openly confirm everything already suspected about Exxon’s climate aspirations."

Go deeper: Exxon lobbyists' unfiltered climate remarks caught on video by Greenpeace

https://www.axios.com/exxon-lobbyists-caught-video-greenpeace-ceo-apology-b213d384-268f-4a2b-b00e-88b3f7f2a0aa.html

Source: NPR.ORG
Author: Jeff Brady
1 July 2021

Exxon Lobbyist Caught On Video Talks About Undermining Biden's Climate Push
July 1, 202111:37 AM ET

Indiscreet comments made by an Exxon Mobil lobbyist to undercover activists may figure prominently in upcoming congressional hearings about the role of oil companies in the battle against climate change.

Video clips released by the Greenpeace investigation project Unearthed show Keith McCoy, the oil giant's senior director for federal relations, talking frankly about Exxon Mobil's lobbying strategies. Channel 4 from the United Kingdom first reported the comments.

McCoy was tricked by the activists who said they were job recruiters. He talked about working with "shadow groups," supporting a carbon tax that he believes will never happen and influencing senators to weaken climate elements of President Biden's infrastructure plan.

"Joe Manchin, I talk to his office every week," bragged McCoy to the interviewer. He called the senator from West Virginia a "kingmaker" and discussed how "on the Democrat side we look for the moderates on these issues" in their efforts to stop policies that could hurt the company's business.

Exxon Mobil Chairman and CEO Darren Woods said in a statement that McCoy's comments don't represent his company's views. "We condemn the statements and are deeply apologetic for them, including comments regarding interactions with elected officials," he said.

Exxon Mobil says it supports the goals in the Paris climate agreement and is committed to addressing climate change.

Woods also said the comments are "entirely inconsistent with the way we expect our people to conduct themselves."

On LinkedIn McCoy wrote, "I am deeply embarrassed by my comments and that I allowed myself to fall for Greenpeace's deception. My statements clearly do not represent ExxonMobil's positions on important public policy issues."

McCoy's profile on the site showed he was still employed at the company Thursday morning.

The blunt comments come at a sensitive time for Exxon Mobil
Exxon Mobil has new board members focused on climate change and a well-documented history of sowing doubt about the issue. Climate activists were quick to jump on the comments as proof the company and the broader oil industry have not changed.

"Now people know exactly what is happening behind the scenes," said Lori Lodes, executive director of Climate Power. She called on senators to ignore the industry's "deceptive practices and get to work on a strong reconciliation package that delivers on President Biden's promise of 100% clean electricity and reducing pollution.

Lindsay Meiman of the climate activist group 350.org said, "We demand Congress immediately investigate Exxon and fossil fuel companies' climate crimes, and make polluters pay for their destruction."

Rep. Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, says he will hold a hearing this fall about "climate disinformation & the coordinated attack on scientific truth among polluters and their lobbyists."

Khanna, who chairs the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on the Environment, says he will ask the CEOs of Exxon, Chevron, and other fossil fuel companies to testify.

It should be an interesting hearing. Among McCoy's comments to the undercover activists, he said Exxon Mobil has a playbook for dealing with hearings like what Khanna plans. He said they usually send trade group representatives to be "the whipping boy."

Khanna says he will subpoena executives if they refuse to appear themselves.

What’s new? I thought McCoy only articulated the truth, and there’s no laws broken. In fact, provided clarity. It’s outstanding - the impact might be large for the corporation!

The video(s) that were recorded and published by Greenpeace Unearthed. As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

Shocking that a senior Public and Government Affairs executive would agree to be filmed on camera let alone agree to an interview with Greenpeace on the phone or on Zoom.

https://vimeo.com/greenpeaceunearthed

Source: EnergyVoice.com
1 July 2021

Exxon CEO apologises for lobbyist’s comments in leaked video
ExxonMobil’s chief executive Darren Woods says the company is “deeply apologetic” over comments caught on camera in a secret filming by Greenpeace that show one of the oil giant’s lobbyists saying a carbon tax the company has promoted for years is unlikely to happen.

ExxonMobil’s chief executive Darren Woods says the company is “deeply apologetic” over comments caught on camera in a secret filming by Greenpeace that show one of the oil giant’s lobbyists saying a carbon tax the company has promoted for years is unlikely to happen.

Unearthed, Greenpeace UK’s news division, had an investigator pose as a head hunter when speaking with lobbyist Keith McCoy last month. Other researchers were involved in the work, which also included an interview with a former Exxon lobbyist.

“Comments made by the individuals in no way represent the company’s position on a variety of issues, including climate policy and our firm commitment that carbon pricing is important to addressing climate change,” Woods said in a statement Wednesday after the Greenpeace footage was aired by the UK’s Channel 4 News.

Referring to carbon taxes, McCoy in the film says: “Nobody is going to propose a tax on all Americans.”

“And the cynical side of me says, ‘Yeah we kind of know that.’ But it gives us a talking point. We can say well what is ExxonMobil for? Well we’re for a carbon tax.”

‘Deeply Embarrassed’
McCoy didn’t immediately respond to a LinkedIn message requesting comment. A posting on the LinkedIn profile read: “I am deeply embarrassed by my comments and that I allowed myself to fall for Greenpeace’s deception. My statements clearly do not represent ExxonMobil’s positions on important public policy issues.”

In the Greenpeace footage, McCoy also appeared to suggest that Exxon joined “shadow groups to work against some of the early efforts” on climate change. “There’s nothing illegal about that,” he said, while also describing how the oil giant is pushing to dilute climate provisions in President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Bill, Channel 4 reported.

“We condemn the statements and are deeply apologetic for them, including comments regarding interactions with elected officials,” Woods said.

“They are entirely inconsistent with the way we expect our people to conduct themselves. We were shocked by these interviews and stand by our commitments to working on finding solutions to climate change.”

Exxon Activist Victory Marks Coming of Age for ESG Investing
Oil majors have come under mounting pressure from investors to address climate change. Exxon recently lost a six-month proxy fight that saw activist investor Engine No. 1 take three seats on the oil giant’s board, a coup that was heralded as a victory for climate advocates.

Woods said in a March interview that the company sees money-making opportunities in carbon offsets and partnerships with venture funds to finance carbon capture.

Exxon has been in the carbon-capture space for more than a decade but has been unwilling to commit significant amounts of capital to projects due to low returns, regulatory uncertainty and technological constraints. Bloomberg Green reported in December that Exxon indefinitely delayed a $260 million carbon-capture project in Wyoming due to the financial fallout from plunging oil prices in 2020 despite its clear environmental benefits.

Well, well, an well. At least ExxonMobil is consistent. Lies to its employees, lies to its shareholders, lies to the press. Lies, lies and more lies. One thing you can count on then, it that everything that comes out of an ExxonMobil mouth Manager, Executive and above is one lie and after another and they gotten so good at it, it is impossible to read their lying body language so the only possible assumption is that everything is a lie. Only exception being your PIPED. WINNING

Even the lobbyists are looking for other jobs. Lol.
The rats abandoning the sinking ship.

@OP The details are new but the facts aren’t; EM has been the undisputed champion* of climate change denial for 40 years and counting.

*API gave them a run for their money.

Wow! Keith McCoy=PIP. P&GA needs to be outsourced

Sugar, we're going down....

That video was absolutely eye opening. Wake up and realize who you are working for. The company is immoral. Plain and simple.

Mr Woods please step down yet further proof of your disastrous leadership

You have no trust amongst anyone

Clarity

You can see the video by google the subject