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Oklahoma Sends Questionnaire to determine the financial boycott of Energy Companies in State

Oklahoma Sends Questionnaire to determine the financial boycott of Energy Companies in State

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

OKLAHOMA CITY– Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ sent a letter and questionnaire to a list of national financial institutions, including fund managers and banks, to determine which companies boycott energy companies. in Oklahoma. This move is the first step in compiling the list of companies Oklahoma government entities are prohibited from doing business with because of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies.

I took office on January 9th and began compiling a list of companies, banks, and other entities that act against Oklahoma’s interests because of their ESG stance. It is my responsibility to ensure Oklahomans’ tax dollars will not be used to enrich organizations that act counter to our taxpayers’ interests and our values, Treasurer Russ said. This questionnaire provides an opportunity for financial companies to attest to their business actions as they relate to Oklahoma. Other states are taking similar steps, and Oklahoma joins them in asserting that we will not do business with financial companies who discriminate against or boycott our energy industries and businesses.

Last year, the Oklahoma Legislature passed the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act, which requires the State Treasurer to determine and provide a list of what financial companies are, taking any action that is intended to penalize, inflict economic harm on, or limit commercial relations with a company because of their stance on fossil fuels and ESG criteria. Additionally, this law mandates that any company that fails to respond to the letter and provide the Treasurer with written verification that they do not boycott Oklahoma energy companies within sixty days (April 1, 2023) from the date of the letter is presumed to be engaged in discriminating activities and will be placed on the public list of financial companies that are engaged in energy company boycotts. Based on this list from the Treasurer, Oklahoma government entities must divest any assets with the listed financial companies. This legislation went into effect last fall.

This list is crucial to provide accountability for our government entities, including organizations responsible for pension funds such as the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) and Teachers Retirement System (TRS) to ensure our constituents tax dollars are only invested in secure and verified financial companies that comply with Oklahoma law, Treasurer Russ said. OPERS alone has more than 60 percent of their portfolio totaling more than $10 billion managed by Blackrock, a well-known adversary of energy businesses.

 

8 Comments

  1. Gary Eyster on February 11, 2023 at 1:10 pm

    It would be nice to know Why my Electric Bill Darn near Doubled the last Month when my Thermostat has been set the same for the Last 5 years average $225.00 to Over $488.00 Seams a little outrageous!

    • Tim Parnacher on February 12, 2023 at 10:28 am

      Well Speak to OG&E and who’s in their At their table sitting I bet it’s the governor, cause OG&E keeps finding ways to hike the rates and the ones
      That are benefiting from it are OG&E and the State Government and Governor, as we the People are Suffering trying to make the Bills each month

  2. Candy Keller on February 11, 2023 at 2:07 pm

    I don’t understand why gad has gone up so much I have never had a gas bill over $100 util now I seen where it went from $.42 to $1.12 I understand there to make money but everyone well poor people are struggling to pay there rent which had also become so much groceries who looks put for the people like govt.is suppose to I don’t see it when Oklahoma min. wage is $7.25 even if that went up wouldn’t change a thing still be where low income people are.

    • Robert White on February 11, 2023 at 4:54 pm

      Now we need something similar regarding China.

    • Carrie on February 13, 2023 at 8:13 am

      Raising minimum wage would help quite a bit. Businesses want you to think they don’t have the money, politicians want you to think it won’t help.

      Meanwhile, those same bussinesses are making record profit in the Millions or even billions – meaning the money left over after all their employees are paid and their overhead is covered. Those same politicians aren’t worried about their rent being paid, or food being put on the table. The starving masses pay for their 5 star dinners and mansions. I hope some day citizens wake up, stop listening to the lip service and look around. We deserve more than to simply survive, and right now too many can’t even afford to do that.

  3. Hazel Clark on February 11, 2023 at 3:27 pm

    Why isn’t there interest in community leadership which suppresses economy which causes lack of job opportunities in Rural Oklahoma and across USA
    There needs to be Job Creation where persons with “limited abilities” can be employed.
    There is not enough of these type of jobs; and it’s harming the health of these people.
    People need to have a Reason to Get Out of Bed each morning and to be Useful to Society for as long as they can.
    We need people to be Active and Healthy long as possible.

  4. Lynn Macomb on February 11, 2023 at 3:50 pm

    It’s getting outrageous and I’m raising my grandkids !

  5. Shiela Barefoot on February 12, 2023 at 10:31 am

    Unfortunately, this law has nothing to do with utility cost to the average working citizen and everything to do wirh protecting large corporations.

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