Hill Heat

On Wednesday, September 14, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Subcommittee Oversight & Investigations will hold a hybrid oversight hearing titled, “The Role of Public Relations Firms in Preventing Action on Climate Change.”

Rep. Katie Porter, Chair

For decades, the fossil fuel industry publicly denied climate change, despite privately acknowledging the scientific evidence and knowing the harm their operations caused. As the reality of the climate crisis has become more widely accepted, the industry’s disinformation messaging and tactics have become more subtle and sophisticated. Fossil fuel companies now outsource much of this work to public relations (PR) firms, who use a wide array of meticulously designed strategies to delay or prevent action and change public perceptions of the issue. Viewed collectively, evidence strongly suggests industry’s advertising, lobbying, and other influence work has played a significant role in hindering legislative action to address climate change.

The Natural Resources Committee is investigating this critical—yet often overlooked—role that PR firms play in helping industry spread climate disinformation and obstruct solutions to the crisis. The Committee’s investigation on the topic is ongoing; this hearing will examine some of the Committee’s findings thus far. Of note, PR firms Singer Associates, Story Partners, and Pac/West Communications were invited but refused to attend.

• Anne Lee Foster, Former Director of Communication and Community Engagement, Colorado Rising (Testifying on her own behalf)
• Christine Arena, Founder and CEO, Generous Ventures, Inc.
• Dr. Melissa Aronczyk, Associate Professor, School of Communications & Information, Rutgers University
• Minority Witness TBA