After his staff discovered that fuel companies have secretly given a climate change–denying researcher more than $1 million over the past decade, a Massachusetts Democrat is asking the industry to come clean about such relationships.

According to The Boston Globe, U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey plans to send missives to fossil fuel corporations, organizations, and others involved in carbon fuels to request disclosure.

“The American public deserve an honest debate that isn’t polluted by the best junk science fossil fuel interest can buy,” Markey said in a statement. “That’s why I will be launching this investigation to see how widespread this denial-for-hire scheme stretches within the anti–climate action cabal.”

Back in 2009, the senator cosponsored the historic Markey-Waxman Bill, or the American Clean Energy and Security Act. It was the first time a bill to curb greenhouse gas emissions made it through Congress.

In other news…

And the Oscar Goes To: Hollywood will celebrate the year in film at the 87th Academy Awards in Los Angeles tonight. Who will get a golden statue? Judging from the list of nominees, a lot of middle-aged white guys. (via The Washington Post)

Prison Abuse: Correctional officers at New York’s Rikers Island used physical force on inmates 4,074 times last year, the highest number in at least a decade. (via The New York Times)

What’s Causing Earthquakes in Oklahoma: Fracking, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. In a statement, the agency said “the increased seismicity is due to fluid injection associated with new technologies that enable the extraction of oil and gas.” This ends the debate about the root of earthquakes in the state for some people, but petroleum companies argue there’s no science behind the claim. (via KFOR)

In Norway: At least 1,000 Muslims stood around a synagogue in Oslo on Saturday, forming a shield symbolizing their support for the Jewish community after the anti-Semitic attack on a synagogue in Denmark last week. (via Reuters)

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