greenwashing
Newsletter
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Oregon’s biggest gas company isn’t as green as it claims
NW Natural promised Oregonians it would embrace renewable natural gas, but years later, the company continues to rely on fossil fuels while selling an image of sustainability.
In short:
- NW Natural launched a campaign to promote renewable natural gas, yet continues to sell as much fossil fuel as before.
- Internal documents reveal the company used public relations strategies to downplay the growing pressure to phase out gas and electrify homes.
- Despite promises, renewable natural gas makes up less than 1% of the company’s supply today.
Key quote:
“The story they’re telling us is simply not possible. What they’re trying to do is to prevent being put out of business.”
— Phil Barnhart, former Oregon state representative
Why this matters:
As the climate crisis deepens, misleading sustainability claims delay real action on reducing fossil fuel dependence, prolonging exposure to harmful emissions. This kind of greenwashing isn't just misleading—it's dangerous. Read more: Hog waste-to-gas: Renewable energy or more hot air?
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Credit: Bureau of Land Management/Photo by Bob Wick/Flickr
Utah’s taxpayers foot bill for rancher’s tree-clearing plan
A wealthy Utah rancher bulldozed large swaths of forest with taxpayer support, claiming unproven environmental benefits, but experts raise doubts about his methods.
In short:
- A Utah rancher used millions in taxpayer funds to clear forests, promoting his untested tree removal method, “roller felling.”
- The rancher, Mike Siaperas, received state funds through questionable contracts and political connections, promoting his method as a wildfire and drought solution.
- Political connections helped secure millions in state funding for the rancher’s project, despite doubts about its environmental benefits.
Key quote:
“It looks like nothing more than a pet project with a thin veneer of science.”
— Ben Abbott, ecology professor at Brigham Young University.
Why this matters:
This rancher’s project, funded by over $5 million in taxpayer dollars, isn’t just a case of bad science—it’s a reflection of Utah’s broader issue with how political influence shapes so-called “green” initiatives. The claims of ecological benefits are shaky at best, and yet, thanks to powerful allies, this rancher’s proposal got the green light without much competition or scrutiny. Read more: Giving Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante the protection they deserve.
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Credit: Billie Grace Ward/Flickr
Republicans’ growing distrust in science is a danger to public health
A widening political divide shows Republicans increasingly losing faith in science, raising concerns about the public health impacts of this skepticism, especially as misinformation about vaccines and climate change spreads.
In short:
- Republican distrust in science has surged from 14% in 2020 to 38% in 2023, while Democrats’ confidence has remained relatively stable.
- Misinformation, amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, has fueled skepticism of vaccines, climate change, and public health measures.
- Political identity, particularly within the MAGA movement, plays a crucial role in shaping these views, exacerbating the partisan gap.
Key quote:
“Americans died because they had read or heard that mRNA vaccines were more dangerous than a bout of Covid.”
— Matthew Dallek, political historian at George Washington University
Why this matters:
Science should be society’s best way of understanding the world, not a pawn in our political battles. The more we politicize it, the more we open the door for denialism to creep in, leaving us all worse off—environmentally and in terms of public health. Read more: America re-discovers anti-science in its midst.
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EPA shuts down deceptive recycling claims in plastics industry
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cracked down on the plastics industry’s use of misleading accounting methods to inflate recycled content claims, marking a significant federal move to curb greenwashing in product labeling.
In short:
- The EPA's new policy prohibits the plastics industry from using the mass balance method to falsely advertise recycled content in products.
- Products labeled with the “Safer Choice” endorsement must now contain at least 15% post-consumer recycled content, calculated by weight.
- This decision is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to tackle plastic pollution and promote truthful labeling.
Key quote:
“This is the turning point” that will allow us to start killing the “hoax” of mass balance.
— Jan Dell, founder of The Last Beach Cleanup
Why this matters:
The EPA’s move means that any products endorsed under its "Safer Choice" label must now meet stricter, more transparent standards. This is a win for consumers who care about making genuinely sustainable choices and a signal that the government won't tolerate such corporate sleight of hand. Read more: Recycling plastics “extremely problematic” due to toxic chemical additives.
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Newsletter
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Canada’s greenwashing law fails to halt politicians’ CCS advocacy
Despite new laws targeting misleading environmental claims, Canadian politicians continue to promote carbon capture and storage technology, which experts argue is an ineffective climate solution.
In short:
- Canadian officials, including environment minister Steven Guilbeault, have been vocal about CCS despite industry removing similar claims due to anti-greenwashing laws.
- The oil and gas industry has scrubbed CCS-related content from websites ahead of new regulations requiring proof of environmental claims.
- Studies indicate CCS is costly, slow to implement and largely ineffective at reducing emissions.
Key quote:
“Carbon capture technology has failed to make a dent in reducing climate pollution, despite decades of subsidies.”
— Julia Levin, Environmental Defence Canada
Why this matters:
Continued promotion of CCS by politicians undermines new regulations intended to prevent misleading environmental claims, potentially diverting resources from more effective climate strategies.
Related:
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Newsletter
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A new climate gamble endangers Louisiana's Cancer Alley
Despite community fears, corporations push controversial carbon capture solutions in Louisiana's heavily polluted Cancer Alley, raising concerns over health and environmental impacts.
In short:
- St Rose, a predominantly Black community in Louisiana's Cancer Alley, faces a new threat from a proposed ammonia and hydrogen plant.
- The plant claims to reduce emissions by capturing and storing carbon dioxide, but experts argue the process is inefficient and dangerous.
- Residents are worried about increased pollution and health risks, while the project is promoted as a clean energy initiative.
Key quote:
“The best any plant has done for net CO2 capture is 25% to 30%, and that’s before the very potent methane [leaks]. The 90% capture rate the industry claims is pure nonsense."
— Robert Howarth, professor of ecology and environmental biology at Cornell University
Why this matters:
Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley' is bracing for impact as corporations and politicians tout carbon capture as the next big climate fix. But while the petrostate's movers and shakers see dollar signs, residents are left wondering if this 'green' initiative is just a smokescreen for more dirty business. Read more: 30 environmental advocacy groups ask PA governor to veto carbon capture bill.
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Newsletter
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Utilities charging premiums for "certified gas" face greenwashing accusations
A report by climate advocates claims that the fossil fuel industry’s “certified gas” programs are ineffective and misleading.
In short:
- Gas utilities promote certified gas as low-carbon but climate groups call it greenwashing.
- Methane detection systems often fail to identify emissions, undermining certification claims.
- U.S. senators urge the FTC to investigate deceptive environmental claims by gas certification programs.
Key quote:
“Certified gas is a greenwashing scam. There is not nearly enough evidence from the certifiers or the oil and gas industry itself that this gas is actually indeed [associated with] lower methane emissions.”
— Dakota Raynes, researcher, Earthworks
Why this matters:
Critics argue that certified gas still involves the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, which inevitably releases greenhouse gases and other pollutants. They emphasize that any fossil fuel use perpetuates dependence on non-renewable energy sources and delays the transition to truly clean energy alternatives like wind and solar.
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