Kemal Williamson

Climate Change Denial Business Kemal Williamson

Kemal Williamson

Kemal Williamson is Peabody’s (formerly Peabody Energy) President of US Operations and has over 30 years of experience in the coal industry. He is on the board of the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, a lobbying group that represents the coal industry and pushes against climate change regulations.

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.