Republican lawmakers are set to take on the environment, social, and governance (ESG) agenda this year, with multiple states like Florida, Indiana, and Oklahoma targeting the use of such policies for business purposes.
“When companies boycott fossil fuels, they intentionally choke off the lifeblood of capital to Kentucky’s signature industries,” Treasurer Ball said. “Traditional energy sources fuel our Kentucky economy, provide much needed jobs, and warm our homes. Kentucky must not allow our signature industries to be irreparably damaged based upon the ideological whims of a select few.”
Several Republican states removed almost $4.5 billion dollars from BlackRock due to the company's adherence to environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) policies.
Renewable energy sources, including wind turbines and solar panels, struggle to meet elevated energy demand during Christmas Eve snowstorms in the northeastern US and Texas, forcing utilities to burn fossil fuels to prevent power outages.
Several US states divest approximately $11.7 billion from BlackRock due to concerns about the company's commitment to ESG principles, which may present obstacles to state pension funds and expose investors to risks.
A new report from the New York Times urges travelers to continue, or return to, mask-wearing, "everywhere" and "in between" on their upcoming holiday travels, including on planes, trains, buses, ferries, and even at their travel destinations.