Opinion - The reason behind Big Oil's concern about accountability

Consumers in the United States shouldnt have to shoulder the costs of the destruction caused by multinational oil and gas corporationsfirst through the environmental and health impacts of their products, and then again when these same corporations raise fuel prices under the pretext of defending against lawsuits from affected communities. This pattern reveals the true nature of these billion-dollar companies, and their staged outrage exposes their priorities.

Recently, an opinion piece from a group called the Consumer Choice Center, funded by the energy industry, falsely suggested that I advocate for a hidden carbon tax through climate-related litigation. In reality, my position is clear: multinational oil companies, not the public, must bear the costs of the harm their products inflict.

Other publications have also had to issue corrections after publishing misleading claims that I represent Boulder County in its climate lawsuit against Suncor and ExxonMobil, or that the Environmental Integrity Project is involved in climate liability cases. These inaccuracies highlight a broader trend: industry-backed commentators frequently misrepresent statements that challenge their agenda, amplifying misinformation to protect corporate interests.

The root of the industrys outrage is simple: acknowledgment of harm threatens their business model. Oil and gas corporations have long profited while ignoring the consequences of their products on climate and public health. When attempts are made to hold them responsiblewhether through lawsuits filed by cities and counties affected by wildfires, floods, or other climate disastersthe companies often shift costs to consumers, claiming that accountability measures hurt drivers. In reality, it is the pollution and corporate greed that harm the public.

Political inaction has allowed this cycle to continue. Gas prices and climate policy have been manipulated as political tools, as legislators from both parties hesitate to confront the oil lobby, fearing backlash from well-funded industry campaigns. As a result, consumers end up paying the hidden costs of environmental damage.

Lobbying groups and industry-funded organizations consistently disguise corporate interests as consumer advocacy, using patriotic messaging or populist language to defend profits. The Consumer Choice Center itself discloses funding from multiple industries including chemicals, nicotine, alcohol, and cryptocurrencyhardly genuine consumer protection.

Big Oils response follows a familiar script: deny responsibility, distract from the issues, and attempt to discredit critics. This strategy mirrors tactics historically used by tobacco companies to evade accountability for decades. By avoiding responsibility and shifting costs onto the public, oil executives maintain profits while leaving consumers and communities to bear the consequences.

Without meaningful accountability, these corporations will continue to externalize the damage they create. American consumers deserve a system in which the true costs of pollution are not unfairly imposed upon them.

Author: Chloe Ramirez