GLONGHUI, May 23 | US lawmakers are calling on the Department of Justice to investigate whether the oil and gas industry has deceived the public about the impact of fossil fuels on climate change. In a letter to US Attorney General Merrick Garland, two Democratic lawmakers Sheldon Whitehouse and Jamie Raskin outlined the findings of the nearly three-year investigation into Big Oil and urged the Department of Justice to act. Lawmakers accuse companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, British Petroleum and Shell, the oil and gas trade organization, the American Petroleum Association, and the commercial organization American Chamber of Commerce of teaming up to mislead the public by promising to reduce emissions while seeking to protect oil and gas production on the other. In their letter, they stated that this evidence, combined with the failure of these entities to fully comply with valid subpoenas issued by Congress, indicated that further investigation by the executive branch was necessary. A Justice Department spokesman said the agency had received the letter but would not comment on it.