Harris Seen as Tougher Oil Industry Opponent Than Biden
- As California attorney general, Harris had sued oil companies
- She’s been more critical of fracking, offshore oil than Biden
Kamala Harris tours the clean up efforts at the Refugio State Beach and surrounding area affected by an oil spill in June 2015.
Photographer: HUM Images/Universal Images Group Editorial/Getty Images
As California attorney general, Kamala Harris brought lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, prosecuted a pipeline company over an oil leak and investigated Exxon Mobil Corp. for misleading the public about climate change.
Now, with the vice president suddenly in contention for the Democratic nomination after President Joe Biden abandoned his reelection bid Sunday, that track record is of deep interest to both the US energy industry and climate activists alike. A potential Harris presidency is seen being more aggressive than Biden in confronting oil companies for pollution and addressing environmental justice.