Friday, January 18, 2013

OXFAM AMERICA DEFENDS EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRY DISCLOSURE REGULATION

On behalf of Oxfam America, and working with Earth Rights International, we filed a brief this week defending the new SEC regulation requiring that publicly traded companies disclose payments they make to governments associated with extracting oil, natural gas, and minerals.  The regulation will provide vital information to investors while at the same time allowing people in communities where these natural resources are found, and their international allies, to hold governments accountable for natural resource revenues.  Our brief, which is here, explains why the D.C. Circuit should reject Petitioners arguments that the regulation violates several statutes and the First Amendment.