A bill filed in the Texas Senate by Sen. Brian Birdwell would force the state’s retirement systems and pension funds to divest from any company that refuses to invest in fossil fuels.
“This bill sends a strong message — if you boycott Texas energy, Texas will boycott you,” according to a March 15 written statement from the office of Texas State Sen. Brian Birdwell, author of Senate Bill 13 — the Oil and Gas Protection Act.
The proposal would require the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts “to prepare and maintain a list of all companies that refuse to deal with, or otherwise penalize another company because the company invests in or assists in the exploration, production, utilization, transportation, sale or manufacturing of fossil fuel-based energy,” Birdwell’s office stated. “This list is then provided to the state agencies that invest funds, who in turn send a letter to the listed companies informing them that they are subject to divestment if they
