Campaign contributions from major oil companies to politicians such as South Dakota's Governor Kristi Noem may be seen as an effort to influence climate change legislation.

In her campaigns from 2009-2018 Gov. Kristi Noem has been funded by major oil companies such as Moyle Petroleum throughout her political career she’s pushed back against environmental legislation. As more politicians' campaigns are supported by gas and oil companies, it poses the questions: is there a conflict of interest, and are politicians like Gov. Kristi Noem truly serving their states?

As a member of the House of Representatives in 2010, Noem had multiple successes, including helping pass Tax Cuts and Job Acts that put $2,400 back into the average South Dakotan families’ pocket. 

Noem, however, has also avidly fought against any legislation or policy that was aimed at fighting Climate Change. This was evident in her 2021 lawsuit against the federal government. The lawsuit was aiming to dismantle the Biden Administration’s new initiative allowing federal regulators to factor in the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC). 

The SCC being an estimate of the economical costs and damages of emitting one ton of carbon. This factorization would lead to decreased carbon emissions as lower emissions would lead to less cost for companies emitting carbon. 

“I’ve always been a supporter of diversified energy. I think it is critical we prioritize all forms of energy,” South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem stated.

Some forms of energy supported by Noem have been found to have long-term effects on the environment. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, are responsible for 65% of greenhouse gas emissions. Harnessing material such as coal and oil is known to have a negative impact on the environment. As research continues, constituents call into question if the state's political leadership is failing to address these issues.

When political campaigns, such as Noems, are funded by companies impacted financially by climate initiatives, it raises the question about what action politicians will take once in office?

Oil companies Exxon, Chevron, and Moyle Petroleum fund many politicians on each side of the aisle, such as Democratic President Joe Biden and Former Republican President Donald Trump. Allowing these companies to fund politicians could pervert the political field and open the door for them to control the climate change narrative.

Even those who fight against climate change are still getting funded by oil and gas companies, this is including President Joe Biden, who was at the COP26 the United Nations Climate Change conference held in glasgow last year. 

South Dakota State University, Political Science Major, Maddie Brink, believes that nothing will truly change unless politicians fight to stop the climate crisis, rather than solely focusing on the money or the next campaign they need funded. 

Noem has fought vigorously for the Keystone XL Pipeline, even though it was protested again for almost 10 years due to environmental concerns.

The main environmental impact would be from the tar sand oil, which is thicker and far more corrosive than other oils. With the risk of a leak in the pipeline, high amounts of land pollution were feared. 

The pipeline would have run through South Dakota, as Noem had hoped to bolster the South Dakota economy. There was little acknowledgment from the governor's office about the effects it would have on the environment. 

Kristi Noem has built parts of her career on the back of eliminating any climate action while being funded by big oil companies. The only way to determine if she is truly serving her state is by full transparency and finding out who her politics are for: the people of South Dakota or the companies that have helped get her elected.

Written by Isabella Janssen