"We're not asking them to transform themselves into Greenpeace," said Athan Manuel, a lobbyist with environmental group US PIRG that wants Exxon to invest in renewable energy sources and do more on global warming concerns. "We're not asking them to do things that other oil companies haven't done."

Stung by gasoline prices that have topped US$3 a gallon, consumer groups are accusing the world's largest publicly traded oil company of profiting off the backs of hapless motorists.

US lawmakers have joined in the act and are threatening to impose special windfall taxes on the company's profits. Those profits totaled a handsome US$36 billion last year -- the most profitable year ever for a US company.

Fighting back against the barrage of criticism is Texas oilman Rex Tillerson, who took the podium flanked by American and Texas flags for the first time as Exxon's chief executive.

"Interest in our industry is very high today with the rise in commodity prices, concerns about energy supplies, and the focus on our company's earnings," Tillerson said, adding that the debate had shown how little people knew about the energy industry.

"The level of misinformation only makes it more important to discuss the massive scale of our industry and the meaningful alternatives available in the foreseeable future."

Many have seen the annual meeting as one of the first concrete indications of whether Tillerson will adopt a more conciliatory tone toward environmental and social groups than his acerbic predecessor, Lee Raymond, did.

Sharp-tongued and combative, Raymond, who retired at the end of 2005, had little patience for critics of Exxon's environmental and social policies.

Tillerson so far has shown few signs of straying from Raymond's playbook on investment decisions, but, unlike his predecessor, has tried to reach out to the general public to explain Exxon's business and its efforts to meet energy demand.

Exxon itself has been part of a massive public relations offensive by the oil industry to soothe consumer anger and thwart government regulation.

Raymond remains in focus this year, even after his departure, thanks to his hefty compensation package. That included US$49 million in pay last year and a US$98.4 million lump sum retirement payment, which set off a firestorm of criticism for being outsized.

The pay package was enough to prompt influential proxy services firm Institutional Shareholder Services to urge investors to withhold votes from four company directors. Exxon disputes the criticism and is urging shareholders to support the board members.

Other shareholders, have jumped on the bandwagon. North Carolina State Treasurer Richard Moore on Tuesday said the North Carolina Retirement Systems, which holds nearly 11 million Exxon shares worth US$662.6 million, would withhold its votes for five Exxon director nominees.