ExxonMobil lobbyist tricked into disclosing how firm fights climate initiatives

New York, July 1 (RHC)-- Greenpeace has tricked a lobbyist at ExxonMobil into sharing secrets about the oil company’s efforts to fight climate initiatives in Washington.  The lobbyist, Keith McCoy, spoke candidly about his work, thinking he was speaking to a corporate headhunter.

Keith McCoy said: “Did we aggressively fight against some of the science?  Yes.  Did we hide our science?  Absolutely not . Did we join some of these shadow groups to work against some of the early efforts?  Yes, that’s true.  But there’s nothing — there’s nothing illegal about that.  We were looking out for our investments.  We were looking out for our shareholders.”

Exxon lobbyist Keith McCoy went on to tell Greenpeace that Exxon’s support for a carbon tax is a public relations ploy, because such a tax will never be implemented.v He also identified 11 U.S. senators seen as crucial to Exxon’s lobbying efforts, including Democrat Joe Manchin.

Keith McCoy said: “Joe Manchin, I talk to his office every week, and he is the kingmaker on this, because he’s a Democrat from West Virginia, which is a very conservative state.  And he’s not shy about sort of staking his claim early and completely changing the debate.”