Washington, D.C. – Today, Unlocking America’s Future is launching a new campaign in North Carolina to hold lawmakers accountable for supporting the enormous risks of H750, an anti-ESG law passed in 2023. The campaign includes a statewide six-figure digital buy and new research that exposes how State Rep. Bill Ward (NC-05), Rep. Allen Chesser (NC-25), Rep. Ken Fontenot (NC-24), and other supporters of the bill have sided with out-of-state billionaires and right-wing extremist groups instead of the constituents they claim to represent.
The new report delves into how the law restricts the North Carolina State Treasurer from considering “environmental or social considerations” for state investments, essentially implementing an ESG ban. The research also exposes the Big Oil interests behind the bill, including public support from right wing, Koch-backed groups like Heritage Action and organizations associated with rightwing judicial activist Leo Leonard.
Meanwhile, at the federal level, the Inflation Reduction Act has unleashed over $15 billion in investment in North Carolina’s clean energy economy, but 10 North Carolina federal officials who have taken nearly $3.5 million in combined campaign cash from the oil and gas industry still voted against the plan.
“State Representative Bill Ward and his extreme colleagues in the North Carolina legislature have made clear they are willing to put out-of-state oil and gas industry interests over the wellbeing of their constituents,” said Kyle Herrig, spokesperson for Unlocking America’s Future. “They continue to double down on anti-ESG attacks despite the overwhelming research and legal pushback against similar legislation in Oklahoma and Texas, which has cost those states’ economies hundreds of millions of dollars.”
The ad buy includes a video that lays bare the consequences of H750 and Rep. Ward’s actions.
SCRIPT:
Greed. That’s what’s driving North Carolina Representative Bill Ward to side with radical billionaires and ban responsible investing.
Keeping North Carolinians from making the best decisions with their own money. And allowing them to keep cheating workers and poisoning our air and water.
Bill Ward’s ban could cost thousands of good paying American jobs, damage our environment, raise interest rates, and put a dent in your retirement savings.
So, call Bill Ward. Tell him to work for you, not billionaires.
Watch the full ad HERE.
