ExxonMobil has donated a total of $1 Million to vote “No’ for salmon on Ballot Measure 1.
In 2017, Exxon Mobil Corporation earned 2nd place on the Fortune 500 list, making it the largest privately-owned oil and energy company in the world. Exxon enjoyed profits over 19.7 BILLION dollars. Or, enough to cover the $507.5 million dollars in criminal damages Exxon paid after the Valdez spill 38 times over.
The Exxon Valdez hit Bligh Reef in ‘89. Today, oil still oozes from the beaches in Prince William Sound. Exxon fought tooth-and-nail to deny Alaskans damages from their mess, though after years of protracted litigation, it finally coughed up a small portion – a half a billion dollars – of the damages it owed in ’09. But the story of Exxon shirking responsibility for fish habitat destruction and climate change goes back much further.
ExxonMobil has known that burning fossil fuels results in climate change for at least fifty years. In 1968, The Stanford Research Institute, in a report to the American Petroleum Institute, stated: “If CO2 levels continue to rise at present rates, it is likely that temperature increase will occur.” In 1982, Exxon’s own Environmental Affairs Program said to “expect potentially catastrophic events” if fossil fuel usage wasn’t curbed. And now, the State of New York is suing Exxon Mobil, saying it deceived shareholders on climate change.
Whether its climate change or fish habitat protection, we know one thing: Exxon puts profits above everything else. We know too well Exxon views it fiduciary duty to maximize profits for its investors as a higher calling than safeguarding the fish and water resources that make Alaska unique. In short, Exxon’s track record shows it will always put its private interest above the public interest.
We at Inletkeeper are proud to support the Stand for Salmon Ballot Measure 1 alongside First Nations, fishing businesses, and the thousands of Alaskans who want healthy salmon habitat. We’re sick and tired of the lies and distortions of the Exxon’s of Alaska, and we can’t wait to show them at the ballot box. Vote YES on 1. #StandForSalmon
