Double Dipping Pat Michaels Told to Choose Sides

onAug 22, 2006 @ 16:28 PDT

Bravo to the Ranoake Times for this editorial on the “Virginia State Climatologist” Pat Michaels.

It has recently come to public attention that Michaels’ title is somewhat ceremonial and dates back to 1980. The Ranoake Times points out that Michaels seems to have two paymasters: the University of Virginia (which holds the paperwork on his state appointment) and the energy industry financiers that pay him consulting fees as he wanders about the country quibbling about climate change.

The title of State Climatologist, and Michaels position as a UVa professor, seem to give him credibility, while the money from industry might be taken to suggest that he is a well-paid corporate apologist. The Times suggests that he clear up the issue by foresaking further payments from one of those two masters.

Willingly? We think not.

By Richard Littlemore

us/Inside the Struggle to Dismantle America’s Greenhouse Gas Data

ByRachel Santarsiero

onAug 18, 2026 @ 05:00 PDT

New accounts show the oil and gas industry trying to weaken methane reporting while saving the federal emissions system it relies on.

Big Oil Could Face ‘Catastrophic Outcomes’ Without Republican Supreme Court

BySarah Hofmann

onAug 17, 2026 @ 14:21 PDT

At the American Legislative Exchange Council’s annual meeting, members of Leonard Leo’s network explain why the right-wing court majority is crucial for protecting oil companies from climate lawsuits.