Troubling new details are emerging about climate change denier Mike Coffman’s cozy relationship with Big Oil Companies. According to a new report in the Colorado Independent, not only has Coffman taken more than $500,000 from Big Oil companies and denied the science behind climate change, Coffman “routinely receives checks from oil-industry donors in the weeks before he casts votes on bills that will affect business.”
“Congressman Coffman can try to pretend otherwise in Colorado, but he’s taken thousands of dollars from Big Oil immediately before voting with Big Oil in Congress,” said Brandon Lorenz of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “It’s no wonder Congressman Coffman has received $500,000 from oil and gas companies, since he votes to protect tax breaks for Big Oil companies and denies climate change.”
BACKGROUND:
Congressman Coffman Said he did Not Think Humans Contributed Significantly to Climate Change. In 2014, the Denver Post reported: “Coffman appeared to stumble on questions about climate change. Asked whether humans contributed significantly to climate change, he responded that he did not think so.” [Denver Post, 9/23/14]
Congressman Coffman Said Climate Change Could Not be Reversed. In 2014, the Denver Post reported: “Asked whether climate change could be reversed, [Coffman] answered, ‘Don’t know.’ Asked by a Post moderator, ‘What? Sir?’ Coffman said, ’Um, no.’” [Denver Post, 9/23/14]
Congressman Coffman Said Science was Not Settled on Climate Change. In 2014 Congressman Coffman said: “On the climate change issue, I just think the science is not quite settled. Does it have an impact? Yes. […] Do I know how much of an impact it has, man-made climate change? I don’t know. But I think we need to do everything responsible to bring down carbon emissions. Sometimes, my worry is we go too far” [Denver Post, 9/23/14]
- Headline: Climate Change Issue Makes Rep. Mike Coffman’s Head Spin [Think Progress, 9/24/14]
Congressman Coffman has Accepted Close to $500,000 from the Oil and Gas Industry. According the Center for Responsive Politics, Congressman Coffman has accepted $488,775 from the Oil and Gas industry. [Center for Responsive Politics, accessed 9/24/14]
Congressman Coffman Voted for the Extreme House Republican Budget. In April 2014, Coffman voted for the FY 2015 House Republican budget. The budget resolution was adopted, 219-205. [H Con Res 96, Vote #177, 4/10/14]
- Republican Budget Would Protect $45 Billion in Subsidies for Big Oil. “His budget would also protect $45 billion in tax subsidies over 10 years to oil companies, the top five of which are already reaping $93 billion in profits from 2013 alone.” [Center for American Progress, 4/01/14]
Congressman Coffman Said Climate Change was “Naturally Occurring.” In 2012, Coffman said climate change was “naturally occurring.” Climate change is naturally occurring. What influence do we have over that, we certainly need to look into, but that’s subject to debate,” Coffman said. [National Journal, 6/14/12]
Congressman Coffman Questioned the Role that Carbon Emissions, from Human Activity, have on Climate Change. In 2013, questioned the role that carbon emissions, from human activity, have on climate change.“There is no question that climate change is real since it has existed since the beginning of time and will always be a factor that can negatively impact our environment. The role that carbon emissions, from human activity, have on climate change is still a subject of debate but, in my view, there is no question that it also has a negative impact,” Coffman said. [Coffman Guest Column, Carbon Valley Farmer & Miner, 9/10/13]
Congressman Coffman Said “Radical Environmentalist” Control a Lot of Research Grants Dealing with Climate Change. In 2013, Coffman said “radical environmentalist” control a lot of research grants on climate change.“And one thing that I certainly read from viable sources is that a lot of the research that’s being done—when you put your application in to get a grant, if you don’t submit to the, you know, orthodoxy of climate change by the radical environmentalists, you’re not going to get a grant,” Coffman said. [Colorado Pols, 8/22/13]
- Headline: On radio, Coffman says ‘radical environmentalists’ control a lot of cli-mate-change research grants [Colorado Pols, 8/22/13]