Senators voted down a resolution aimed at gutting the EPA’s Mercury and Toxics Standards (MATS) for power plants this morning, 46-53. The 46 senators voting for this anti-science and anti-health resolution are awash in campaign contributions from the very companies that would have profited from its success. The average senator voting in favor of S.J. … Read More
Separate Oil and State
Call on Governments to End Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Hundreds of governments and thousands of stakeholders will meet at the Rio+20 Conference in Brazil this month to chart a future for the health of the planet, our human family and economies worldwide. The question is whether that future will include continuing public fossil fuel subsidies, which could climb to a staggering US$775 billion to an estimated US$1 trillion … Read More
The Dirtiest Congress in History
This Congress is on track to be the dirtiest ever. In the current cycle (since January 2011) dirty energy companies have spent at least $43.5 million on influencing federal elections in America.
Big Oil Uses Influence to “Sway Election”
We are used to Big Oil dipping into its deep pockets to try and buy politicians. All you have to do is go on Oil Change International’s Dirty Energy Money site to explore this idea further. This said, the headline in today’s Financial Times is worrying: “Oil Chiefs use growing influence to sway election.” The … Read More
Fracking “FRESH” Act Stinks of Dirty Money
The oil & gas industry has once again bought favor from Congress. The Fracturing Regulations are Effective in State Hands (FRESH) Act will remove the federal government’s authority to regulate the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing (fracking). Introduced in the Senate in March 2012 by Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK), and in the House by Representative … Read More
New Study: Oil Subsidies Waste Money, Don’t Encourage Production
Thanks to The Checks and Balances Project for this cross post and Headwaters Economics for the study. When you fill up your tank for vacation this summer, keep in mind that the dial at the pump is spinning faster than you think. In addition to what you pay at the pump, your tax dollars are … Read More
Dirty Energy Money Buys Yet Another Keystone Vote
Those Representatives voting in favor of the inclusion of the Keystone XL pipeline in a transportation bill currently being negotiated by both chambers have taken over 11 times more money from Big Oil during this Congress – almost $6 million – than those opposed.
Irrational Exemption: Tar sands pipeline subsidies and why they must end
This briefing finds that the transport of tar sands oil through pipelines in the United States is exempt from payments into the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund, which creates a free ride worth over $375 million to tar sands oil producers between 2010 and 2017.
Dirty Energy Money pouring into Congress faster than ever before
Members of Congress have taken almost $16 million from the oil, gas and coal industries so far in this 112th Congress. That puts this Congress on track to be the dirtiest ever. The information comes to light as part of the latest update of DirtyEnergyMoney.com, a project of Oil Change International which uniquely refines and … Read More
Big Oil Donates over $500,000 to Congress in First Quarter of 2012
The political action committees (PACs) of five of the biggest players in the oil and gas industry donated just over $500,000 to Congressional incumbents and candidates during the first quarter of 2012. Public Campaign has just released new analysis of data filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Some key findings: Exxon’s PAC was the biggest … Read More