President Donald Trump is set to personally meet with several oil and gas industry executives on Friday to discuss measures he can take to help them get richer during the coronavirus pandemic as prices plummet.
Trump has repeatedly touted the possibility of a taxpayer bailout for the oil industry along with several executive actions Big Oil has sought for years.
Just last month, Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency suspended all rules and regulations preventing industries from polluting our lands, water, and air. Now they can pollute at will, which will save them money at the expense of the environment and public health.
Trump is also seeking a cut in oil production which will increase gas prices. Again, oil companies will profit, but Americans will suffer.
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More than 9 million Americans have filed unemployment claims, meaning they can’t afford higher gas prices.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the executives who will attend the meeting “include Vicki Hollub of Occidental Petroleum Corp., David Hager of Devon Energy Corp., Greg Garland of Phillips 66, and Kelcy Warren of Energy Transfer.”
The right-wing leaning publication suggests that Trump may not bring up a taxpayer bailout during the meeting “but may consider smaller actions including a waiver of a law that requires American vessels be used to transport goods, including oil, between U.S. ports. The president wants to show support, even if policy opinions are limited for now.”
Frankly, environmental groups aren’t buying it and warned that Trump could end up seeking a taxpayer bailout for the oil industry even though the industry doesn’t need one and oil executives are wealthy enough that they can bail out their own businesses.
🚨 #NoBigOilBailout Watchdog Team Alert 🚨
Trump is meeting with execs from Exxon, Chevron, and more THIS Friday to talk oil industry “relief”.
Oil billionaires ARE moving to rob us blind in broad daylight — and we need to pull every punch to stop them and win a #GreenNewDeal. https://t.co/87omNFZbKR
— Greenpeace USA (@greenpeaceusa) April 1, 2020
Trump gathering Big Oil CEOs. Stay vigilant.
Right now money is needed for people’s health, direct relief, and making sure we have a resilient future – NOT bolstering the fossil fuel industry. #JustRecovery https://t.co/7mJOOk2w81
— 350 dot org (@350) April 1, 2020
The oil industry is big enough that it can take care of itself. Taxpayers should not have to dole out billions to executives when that money should rightfully be used to take care of those who need it most. Americans are dying and they are slipping into financial ruin. $1,200 is not going to cut it. But Trump has already rejected future stimulus money for Americans. If he continues to seek a bailout for Big Oil, it will become all the more clearer that he doesn’t give a damn about average Americans and their families.
Featured image via screen capture
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