Yesterday, Pacific Environment joined Global Exchange in asking California Senator Dinane Feinsteine to sign a pledge, refusing campaign contributions from oil corporations.  

Feinstein was presented with the request during her Commonwealth Club presentation on global warming, along with a large banner “$32,350 in oil money contributions doesn’t stop global warming”.  She did not respond to the ask.  Neither did she respond to previous letters or calls to her office on the subject.  Senator Feinstein has received over $141,000 from oil companies since 1990, according to public records.

When later asked if her campaign accepted money from oil companies, Feinstein responded, “We may have some.  I don’t think we have much.  It would be very diminuitive.  I can’t answer that now.”  

“That was the only moment that I saw her get small, looking down at the ground,” said Commonwealth Club member Denise Duffy.

Environmental advocates say Feinstein should sign the pledge.  “Senator Feinstein can play an important leadership role in decoupling the influence of big oil on public policy, nationwide — a real step towards halting global warming,” said Rory Cox, California Energy Campaign Director at Pacific Environment.

The Separation of Oil and State Campaign was launched this year and is asking leading politicians to refuse campaign contributions from oil companies.  It was inspired by successful anti-tobacco campaigns, taking a similar strategy.