Politifact: Kamala Harris claimed she 'sued Exxon Mobil' as California AG. She didn't.

[Jose Garcia]

During a climate town hall on CNN this week, Democratic presidential candidate and California Sen. Kamala Harris vowed to take on Big Oil and other powerful interests when they "profit off of harmful behaviors" such as burning fossil fuels.

In answer to a direct question, she claimed she already did that as California’s attorney general.

"So, Senator Harris, what would you do? Would you sue them? Sue Exxon Mobil?" asked moderator Erin Burnett.

"I have sued Exxon Mobil," Harris replied.

More: https://www.politifact.com/california/statements/2019/sep/06/kamala-harris/kamala-harris-said-she-sued-exxon-mobil-california/

[donkeypoofed]

1. Kamala clearly misspoke. She did open an investigation.

From a tired candidate who is traveling, working, speaking or huddling with advisers, constantly - I can't be so hard on them. Its exhausting. Not that big a deal to me. The point was, she is clearly not on their side. That's all I take from it.

[at140]

2. Kamala was an excellent prosecutor

put many law breakers in prison.

[hlthe2b]

4. She also DID sue other oil companies, including sued Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66

(also included in the Politifact piece)

[Thekaspervote]

6. That's good.... so she got the important part right but mixed up the unimportant part

Welcome to Joe Biden’s world!!

[PatSeg]

8. Good point!

[lapfog_1]

5. Kamala clearly misspoke.

so this would be a "gaff" then.

happens to all candidates

[Tipperary]

20. Gaffe.

A gaff is a long instrument used to land large fish.

[bigtree]

12. in this case, she joined other states in a very difficult one

...about what Exxon knew about the effects of climate change, and when they knew it.

California Atty. Gen. Kamala D. Harris is investigating whether Exxon Mobil Corp. repeatedly lied to the public and its shareholders about the risk to its business from climate change — and whether such actions could amount to securities fraud and violations of environmental laws.

Harris’ office is reviewing what Exxon Mobil knew about global warming and what the company told investors, a person close to the investigation said.

The move follows published reports, based on internal company documents, suggesting that during the 1980s and 1990s the company, then known as Exxon, used climate research as part of its planning and other business practices but simultaneously argued publicly that climate-change science was not clear cut.

Shortly after the news reports, Harris’ office launched the investigation in response to the findings, the person said. New York’s attorney general also is investigating the oil company as a result of the published reports.

read more: https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-exxon-global-warming-20160120-story.html

[crazytown]

3. As AG, she sued Chevron, BP, ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=268428

[bigtree]

7. she investigated them and sued more than a few and won (this is a bullshit issue)

...because Kamala Harris is the ONLY, ONLY person in this race who has actually taken on big oil and WON.

REPEATEDLY.

Let that sink in... THE ONLY ONE IN THIS RACE.

____ As district attorney, she created San Francisco's first Environmental Justice Unit and went after cases involving illegal dumping and air pollution. As attorney general, she went after companies including BP, Chevron, Comcast, Cosco Busan, ExxonMobil, and South California Gas Company, with Cosco Busan agreeing to the largest settlement of its kind for its 2007 spill in the San Francisco Bay.

Cosco Busan...

$44 Million Payout Agreement for San Francisco Bay Oil Spill

By The Maritime Executive 2011-09-21 10:40:29

Four years later after the disastrous San Francisco Bay Oil Spill in ’07, companies are finally being held responsible by local, state and federal officials for the damage inflicted onto the environment at the price of US$44 million.

The Cosco Busan oil spill occurred on November 7th, 2007 and spilled 53,000 gallons of oil into the ocean after a containership owned by Regal Stone Ltd. and operated by Fleet Management struck the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in foggy conditions, spurring one of the worst ecological disasters of the region. A 211-foot long tear was produced on the side of the ship, leaving several fuel tanks punctured and spilling into the bay. The monstrous volume of oil managed to oil 69 miles of shoreline, and killed at least 2,500 sea birds, although The Seattle Times stated that estimates from various state and wildlife agencies calculated the deal toll of birds around 6,800. The spill also did considerable damage to herring spawn populations of the bay, and closed the waters for all recreational and fishing activities. Attorney General of California, Kamala Harris, was quoted by the LA Times saying that the Cosco Busan oil spill left a lasting scar across the California waters, oceanic habitats and wildlife as she publicly announced the $44 million settlement.

The $44 million was decreed by federal officials to restore habitats, improve coastal access, restore facilities and reimburse the agencies that responded to the spill with cleanup efforts, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. It was the resolution from a national lawsuit against Regal Stone Ltd. and Fleet Management Ltd. It is the largest settlement of its kind in the country since the 1990 legislation, the Oil Pollution Act. Officials stated that a Draft Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan outlining allocation of the $44 million will soon be available for public comment.

U.S. Secretary of Interior, Ken Salazar, along with Kamala Harris stressed that this is a message to all polluters—there is a price to pay for damage to our natural resources, and they will see to it that all responsible for such accidents will be held accountable.

read more: https://maritime-executive.com/article/44-million-payout-agreement-for-san-francisco-bay-oil-spill

watch:

related:

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces $14 Million Settlement With BP for Underground Fuel Storage Tank Violations
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-announces-14-million-settlement-bp-underground

Attorney General Kamala D. Harris Announces Proposed $24.5 Million Settlement with Chevron Gas Station and Tank Owners
https://oag.ca.gov/news/press-releases/attorney-general-kamala-d-harris-announces-proposed-245-million-settlement

Link to tweet

...who has a better record in this race of actually producing environmental action for the people?

[Andy823]

9. Thanks big tree

Seems like some here don't like her, wonder why?

[bigtree]

11. politics is a gotcha game for some folks

...part sport, part hobby.

For others, it's a panoply of really important words and events.

I think much of how we approach politics has to do with how it actually affects us.

[mcar]

15. This!

[Buzz cook]

10. A Biden supporter pointing out gaffs

Irony is not dead.

[Cha]

16. Yeah.. so what. this was supposed to

be buried? Biden the only Dem who gets vetted?

[Buzz cook]

18. This isn't vetting

Its nit picking. The same kind of bullshit that gets thrown at Biden.

Empathy isn't your strong suit is it?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

13. This is disqualifying

[USALiberal]

19. LOL, funniest thing I read today! nt

[betsuni]

14. So that's what "taking on the fossil fuel industry" means. She's done it!

[JI7]

17. action counts more than rants