Climate coalition downplays departures of oil companies, Caterpillar

The decisions leave Shell as the only oil company remaining with the coalition, which brings together large corporations and environmental groups.

Oil companies, especially refiners, have several concerns with the various Capitol Hill proposals.

Industry trade groups including the American Petroleum Institute and National Petrochemical and Refiners Association have urged lawmakers to reject climate legislation the House approved last year, and a similar bill approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

They have argued in particular than the bills would harm refiners by holding them accountable for emissions from the use of their fuels in transportation, while providing what they call an insufficient number of free emissions allowances to the sector.