Jim Grech

Climate Change Denial Business Jim Grech

Jim Grech is the President and CEO at Peabody, formerly Peabody Energy. He has over 30 years of experience in the natural resources industry, served as CEO at Wolverene Fuels, served as president of Nexus Gas Transmission, and served as COO of Consol Energy.

Climate change:

Peabody has funded “at least two dozen groups that cast doubt on man made climate change and oppose environmental regulations.” Some of these groups include the American Legislative Exchange Council, American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, and National Black Chamber of Commerce. Their climate denial lobbying dates back to Fred Palmer in the 1990s when he “promoted the notion that climate change was a net positive, with benefits for plants and public health.” Palmer has also opposed EPA rules and “limits on carbon pollution to deal with what he dismissed as “climate theory.” In 2010, Peabody spent over $4.5 million on lobbying, including half a million dollars to Larry Tribe to argue against the Clean Power Plan Act.

In a letter to the US government Peabody described C02 as, “a benign gas that is essential for all life.” In 2015 they sent another letter stating “While the benefits of carbon dioxide are proven, the alleged risks of climate change are contrary to observed data, are based on admitted speculation, and lack adequate scientific basis.” Vic Svec, Senior VP for Global Investors, has stated “our view is that the worst human and environmental crisis is not climate change.”

Alaska:

In 2008, Peabody was sued by a native Alaskan village over erosion damage and greenhouse gas emissions. The village was forced to relocate because of the environmental damage.