Groups Ask Columbia To Reveal Funding of Exxon-Tied Energy Policy Center

"Final exams and winter break loom large for students at Columbia University, but at the upper echelons of the university's administration, new calls for transparency about the funding of a university affiliated center are likely to create plenty of homework as well.

A letter sent out today and shared with DeSmog from several high-profile advocacy groups addressed to Columbia President Lee Bollinger calls for Columbia to reveal the funders of the influential — and to-date, dark-money funded — Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP).

The letter was signed by groups ranging from Public Citizen, ForestEthics, Bold Nebraska, Environmental Working Group, Chesapeake Climate Action Network and the Checks and Balances Project.

'Now that POLITICO has revealed that ExxonMobil donated, through its foundation, $25,000 to CGEP in 2014, we ask that you insist the Center report its funding sources and amounts since it was created,' the letter reads, pointing to a Politico revelation first reported on by DeSmog."

Steve Horn reports for DeSmog December 17, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Exposed: ExxonMobil Funding Influential Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy" (DeSmog)

"Exxon Takes Aim at Columbia University Journalists Over Climate Reports" (Politico)