Who gets jailed for climate crimes?
by Emily Atkin and Arielle Samuelson, Heated
We can learn a lot about a society from who it chooses to jail during a planetary emergency, and who it allows to walk free.
Take, for example, some of the people who have been recently arrested for protesting environmental injustice—and compare them to the people who haven’t been arrested in one of the most egregious anti-climate corruption cases of the decade.
Last month, Ohio’s former Speaker of the House Larry Householder was sentenced to 20 years in prison for accepting $61 million in bribes from the electric utility FirstEnergy in exchange for passing HB6, one of the worst anti-climate laws in the nation.
Charles Jones, FirstEnergy’s former CEO, was revealed to be the architect of the plan when lawyers for FirstEnergy said Jones and a colleague “devised and orchestrated FirstEnergy’s payments to public officials in exchange for favorable legislation and regulatory action.” Jones hasn’t been charged with any crimes.
Recent Posts
A Movement Is Growing to Close the Largest ICE Jail on the East Coast
Take Action Now An ICE jail in rural Pennsylvania has been accused of medical neglect, providing unsafe water, and serving spoiled food.By Renée…
It’s Possible to End Corporate Influence in Politics
Take Action Now There’s more money in politics than ever. But some state governments are finding ways to fight back.By Sonali Kolhatkar,…
Democrats are at a Huge Crossroads in California Governor’s Race
Take Action Now If Tom Steyer wins, that could send positive shock waves through the Democratic partyBy Norman Solomon, The Guardian The next…
Building a Democratic Party to Save our Democracy
Take Action Now DNC’s hide-and-seek with the 2024 autopsy is emblematic of systemic problemsBy Lora Lucero, Lora’s Substack When the…