A congressional probe has uncovered that Sher Edling, a California law firm known for its climate-related lawsuits, received over $3 million in dark money funding from organizations linked to progressive causes. This investigation sheds light on the financial backing that fuels legal actions against the oil and gas industry.
The report indicates that Sher Edling received $2.9 million from the Collective Action Fund for Accountability, managed by the New Venture Fund, which does not have to disclose its contributors until mid-November. Additionally, the firm received a previously unreported $235,000 from the Tides Foundation, which distributed significant amounts to progressive initiatives last year.
Sher Edling was established in 2016 to undertake groundbreaking lawsuits against oil and gas companies, arguing they are responsible for climate change and related disasters. Critics have characterized these legal actions as efforts to undermine the fossil fuel industry under the guise of environmental protection.
The investigation, led by Senate and House Republican committees, was spurred by concerns regarding the anonymity of the funding sources for Sher Edling. The report suggests a lack of cooperation from the firm, as it has repeatedly refused to disclose key funding agreements or respond to inquiries about its financial backing.
With nearly $14 million in dark money raised since 2017, Sher Edling’s operations raise questions about the influence of undisclosed donors on environmental litigation and policy.