Update to Corporate Control over Energy: The Real Addiction by Tyson Slocumin JR Vol 4 #1 Corporate Energy or Grassroots Power
The Center for Responsive politics has put together the following series of reports on money and corporate influence over energy policy. JT
Capital Eye Report
Center for Responsive Politics
http://www.opensecrets.org/news/2008/07/power-struggle.html
Published by Lindsay Renick Mayer on July 10, 2008 12:00 PM
The news isn't good, folks, and the evidence is all around us: Americans are spending more than 6 percent of their wages on gasoline, and food prices are skyrocketing. Automakers are shutting down their plants, airlines are cutting flights and staff, and even the world's most profitable corporation, Exxon Mobil, is selling its company-owned gas stations. The North Pole is melting away. And unless the world finds a way to dramatically cut back its carbon emissions, we're facing irrevocable damage to both our health and our planet. While newspapers pump out one grim headline after another, members of Congress are scrambling to find ways to curb the energy crisis and revive the U.S. economy, two ends that have become inexorably linked. However, these two pressing issues aren't the only shapers of the debate--and downright finger-pointing between Democrats and Republicans. Instead, the discussions about whether to tax oil and gas companies to fund renewable energy, to open coastal waters to drilling or to ease up on mandating corn-based ethanol are being influenced by the various industries pouring millions of dollars into Washington to ensure they ultimately come out on top--or at least that they don't hit bottom. Pulling from research by the Center for Responsive Politics, Capital Eye will spend the next month investigating the interests driving the energy debate on Capitol Hill. Among other issues, our series will analyze:
• The energy plans proposed by the presidential candidates and congressional committee members--and the influence of industries that would be affected
• Oil money to lawmakers in states where offshore drilling is a possibility
• The fight between environmentalists, alternative energy producers and the established industries that far outspend them in lobbying
• The agriculture industry's divide over ethanol
• Plastic's tie to petroleum, rising gas prices and the environment
• The legislative agenda of planes, trains and automobiles
• Oil money to lawmakers in states where offshore drilling is a possibility
• The fight between environmentalists, alternative energy producers and the established industries that far outspend them in lobbying
• The agriculture industry's divide over ethanol
• Plastic's tie to petroleum, rising gas prices and the environment
• The legislative agenda of planes, trains and automobiles
Check back each week for our latest installment to "Power Struggle," as we trace the pipeline of political influence over this critical issue affecting us all.
Plastics Manufacturing Lobby Sends Environmentalists a Message in a Bottle
Published by Luke Rosiak on August 7, 2008
You can't turn your head without seeing plastic: computers, phones, bottles, furniture, clothing accessories. But plastic is made from oil--a fact most Americans aren't aware of--and rising oil prices have jacked up the price of plastic in the last few months. Up to eight percent of the country's oil goes into producing plastic, according to some estimates, and as Americans increasingly look for ways to reduce their environmental impact, plastics are beginning to be drawn into the energy debate.... (Continue)
Coal, Nuclear Industries Lobby to Keep the Lights On
Published by Lauren Pick on August 7, 2008
Coal and nuclear power are the biggest sources of electricity in the U.S., accounting for roughly 70 percent of the nation's electricity. While producers of both sources believe that the country needs a well-balanced fuel portfolio, both industries are seeking an advantage by spending their fair share on campaign contributions and lobbying this election cycle, reminding those in Congress of their integral role in keeping the lights on.... (Continue)
Alternative Energy Looks to New Administration, Congress for Progress
Published by Lauren Pick on July 31, 2008
Long in the shadow of traditional energy sources, alternative energy has come into the spotlight as a potential energy crisis looms. For some producers of alternative energy sources, this is the perfect time to promote their legislative wish list--and spend more money than they ever have before to do it. Others are considering the new push as just hype in the on-again, off-again quest for renewable energy.... (Continue)
Senators Shore Up Cash from Divided Tourism Industry
Published by Lindsay Renick Mayer on July 31, 2008
While this year's own battle over offshore drilling for oil has largely been a skirmish between the deep-pocketed oil and gas industry and grassroots environmentalists, senators along the coast in particular have to pay attention to an additional industry that's a player on Capitol Hill: tourism.... (Continue)
Greening Candidates for Office
Published by Irene Kan on July 31, 2008
Politicians usually want to leave a large imprint in the minds of voters, but when it comes to being environmentally conscious, the smaller their campaign's carbon footprint the better these days. Candidates are still filling voters' mailboxes with paper flyers and they're still stumping in cars and planes, but now they're more likely to offset those environmental impacts by recycling and using renewable energy.... (Continue)
Division Within Biofuels Community Complicates the Energy Equation
Published by Luke Rosiak on July 24, 2008
Producers of corn-based ethanol have had a strong relationship with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. But as the price of corn and other foods go up and the pitfalls of such ethanol become more pronounced, an array of next-generation biofuels have hit the scene, all grappling for government funding and feuding among themselves.... (Continue)
The Transformation of Transportation
Published by Irene Kan on July 24, 2008
The long and winding road to work has become more costly than ever before, but it's also forcing drivers to explore other ways of getting around. From bikes to buses, Americans are starting to spend more time using other modes of transportation instead of in their gas-guzzling cars. These alternative industries, which may have been largely ignored in the past, are getting a greater deal of attention from consumers at home, as well as from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.... (Continue)
Energizing the Presidential Race
Published by Irene Kan on July 17, 2008
Like a gas tank hungry for cheap fuel, Americans are yearning for an energy policy from their next president. But various industries and interests, from oil companies to agriculture and environmental groups, also have a serious stake in the next president's energy policy, and are showing it with campaign contributions and lobbying efforts.... (Continue)
Energy Industries Open Up the Pipeline to Democrats
Published by Lauren Pick on 17, 2008
President Bush's decision this week to lift the federal moratorium on offshore drilling defied the Democratic Party's long-held opposition to oil exploration along the U.S. coastline. But recently more Democrats are indicating that they might change their minds, leaving environmentalists wondering whether the lawmakers will stick to their ideological guns or be swayed by high gas prices and campaign contributions from big industries.... (Continue)
Industry Standards
Published by Lindsay Renick Mayer on July 10, 2008
Industries across the board have a stake in the outcome of energy legislation, either because they are looking for handouts or trying to minimize harm. Capital Eye profiles the major players, their concerns and the money they're spending to be heard on Capitol Hill.... (Continue)
Consumers Vent About Oil Industry's Influence
Published by Irene Kan and Lauren Pick on July 10, 2008
If there's one dreaded stop on every traveler's roadmap these days, it's the gas station. With the cost of fuel topping $4 a gallon this summer for the first time ever, there are a lot of questions, but not many clear-cut answers. Capital Eye's reporters dropped in on service stations in the D.C. area to find out where consumers are placing the blame.... (Continue)
As Prices Rise, Oil Money Spills onto K Street
Published by Irene Kan and Lauren Pick on July 10, 2008
The correlation between federal lobbying by the oil and gas industry and oil prices (per barrel) is obvious, as shown in this chart. As to whether this is a case of cause-and-effect, we leave that to you to decide.... (Continue)
Plastics Manufacturing Lobby Sends Environmentalists a Message in a Bottle
Published by Luke Rosiak on August 7, 2008
You can't turn your head without seeing plastic: computers, phones, bottles, furniture, clothing accessories. But plastic is made from oil--a fact most Americans aren't aware of--and rising oil prices have jacked up the price of plastic in the last few months. Up to eight percent of the country's oil goes into producing plastic, according to some estimates, and as Americans increasingly look for ways to reduce their environmental impact, plastics are beginning to be drawn into the energy debate.... (Continue)
Coal, Nuclear Industries Lobby to Keep the Lights On
Published by Lauren Pick on August 7, 2008
Coal and nuclear power are the biggest sources of electricity in the U.S., accounting for roughly 70 percent of the nation's electricity. While producers of both sources believe that the country needs a well-balanced fuel portfolio, both industries are seeking an advantage by spending their fair share on campaign contributions and lobbying this election cycle, reminding those in Congress of their integral role in keeping the lights on.... (Continue)
Alternative Energy Looks to New Administration, Congress for Progress
Published by Lauren Pick on July 31, 2008
Long in the shadow of traditional energy sources, alternative energy has come into the spotlight as a potential energy crisis looms. For some producers of alternative energy sources, this is the perfect time to promote their legislative wish list--and spend more money than they ever have before to do it. Others are considering the new push as just hype in the on-again, off-again quest for renewable energy.... (Continue)
Senators Shore Up Cash from Divided Tourism Industry
Published by Lindsay Renick Mayer on July 31, 2008
While this year's own battle over offshore drilling for oil has largely been a skirmish between the deep-pocketed oil and gas industry and grassroots environmentalists, senators along the coast in particular have to pay attention to an additional industry that's a player on Capitol Hill: tourism.... (Continue)
Greening Candidates for Office
Published by Irene Kan on July 31, 2008
Politicians usually want to leave a large imprint in the minds of voters, but when it comes to being environmentally conscious, the smaller their campaign's carbon footprint the better these days. Candidates are still filling voters' mailboxes with paper flyers and they're still stumping in cars and planes, but now they're more likely to offset those environmental impacts by recycling and using renewable energy.... (Continue)
Division Within Biofuels Community Complicates the Energy Equation
Published by Luke Rosiak on July 24, 2008
Producers of corn-based ethanol have had a strong relationship with lawmakers on Capitol Hill. But as the price of corn and other foods go up and the pitfalls of such ethanol become more pronounced, an array of next-generation biofuels have hit the scene, all grappling for government funding and feuding among themselves.... (Continue)
The Transformation of Transportation
Published by Irene Kan on July 24, 2008
The long and winding road to work has become more costly than ever before, but it's also forcing drivers to explore other ways of getting around. From bikes to buses, Americans are starting to spend more time using other modes of transportation instead of in their gas-guzzling cars. These alternative industries, which may have been largely ignored in the past, are getting a greater deal of attention from consumers at home, as well as from lawmakers on Capitol Hill.... (Continue)
Energizing the Presidential Race
Published by Irene Kan on July 17, 2008
Like a gas tank hungry for cheap fuel, Americans are yearning for an energy policy from their next president. But various industries and interests, from oil companies to agriculture and environmental groups, also have a serious stake in the next president's energy policy, and are showing it with campaign contributions and lobbying efforts.... (Continue)
Energy Industries Open Up the Pipeline to Democrats
Published by Lauren Pick on 17, 2008
President Bush's decision this week to lift the federal moratorium on offshore drilling defied the Democratic Party's long-held opposition to oil exploration along the U.S. coastline. But recently more Democrats are indicating that they might change their minds, leaving environmentalists wondering whether the lawmakers will stick to their ideological guns or be swayed by high gas prices and campaign contributions from big industries.... (Continue)
Industry Standards
Published by Lindsay Renick Mayer on July 10, 2008
Industries across the board have a stake in the outcome of energy legislation, either because they are looking for handouts or trying to minimize harm. Capital Eye profiles the major players, their concerns and the money they're spending to be heard on Capitol Hill.... (Continue)
Consumers Vent About Oil Industry's Influence
Published by Irene Kan and Lauren Pick on July 10, 2008
If there's one dreaded stop on every traveler's roadmap these days, it's the gas station. With the cost of fuel topping $4 a gallon this summer for the first time ever, there are a lot of questions, but not many clear-cut answers. Capital Eye's reporters dropped in on service stations in the D.C. area to find out where consumers are placing the blame.... (Continue)
As Prices Rise, Oil Money Spills onto K Street
Published by Irene Kan and Lauren Pick on July 10, 2008
The correlation between federal lobbying by the oil and gas industry and oil prices (per barrel) is obvious, as shown in this chart. As to whether this is a case of cause-and-effect, we leave that to you to decide.... (Continue)
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