Business Roundtable
This business association represents more than 160 CEOs at many of the country's largest companies.

What They Want
The group wants a balanced approach to climate change legislation, which means energy efficiency, renewable sources and grid modernization as well as more controversial provisions, such as clean coal technology, nuclear energy and domestic oil and natural gas production. A diversified approach, in addition to any mechanism that prices carbon, is the only way to ensure that climate change legislation won't significantly damage the economy, the group said in a June report.

The Business Roundtable hasn't taken a position on cap-and-trade or any other system to regulate carbon, but it acknowledges that placing a price on carbon in some fashion will likely be crucial to reducing emissions and driving technological development. If a cap-and-trade system is implemented, the association wants to make sure all resources and all regions of the country are treated fairly and that "reasonable transition assistance must be provided to those most adversely affected," said the group's lead energy lobbyist, Marian Hopkins, in an e-mail.

Deal Breakers
The group is displeased that Waxman-Markey is "silent on what the long-term policies will be with respect to federal oil and natural gas resources," Hopkins said. The group also doesn't think the House bill goes far enough on nuclear provisions. It recommends, among other things, expanding the federal loan guarantees to help construct at least 25 new plants and creating a government program outside of the Energy Department for long-term nuclear waste management.

The association has not taken an official position on Kerry-Boxer, but Hopkins said that bill is "similar or identical in most respects to the Waxman-Markey bill and largely suffers from the same policy positions."

She also noted that the Business Roundtable is "concerned about carbon price volatility and the uncertainty that creates." The group has not taken a position on the soft pricing collar included in Kerry-Boxer. Price collars are designed to ensure the price of carbon doesn't go too high or too low.

How Much They've Spent
The Business Roundtable spent $9.3 million on lobbying this year through September -- almost two-thirds of that in the second quarter -- according to the latest lobbying disclosure forms. While forms don't break down by issue, the group said it's "devoting a considerable amount of resources to" energy lobbying. Its 2007 revenue was $23.6 million, according to IRS forms.

The group hasn't run any advertising campaigns and hasn't donated to any candidates or committees, but it has made its views known through earned media and direct advocacy, it said.

Key Players
The association employs eight registered lobbyists, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, including Hopkins (pictured). Hopkins has been a registered lobbyist since 1998. As the Business Roundtable's senior director of public policy, Hopkins manages and leads the group's legislative and lobbying efforts on a range of issues. Previously, she did similar lobbying work for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In addition to its in-house lobbyists, the Business Roundtable also works closely with its member companies to interact with lawmakers.

Links
• The Balancing Act: Climate Change, Energy Security and the Economy: Economic models and policy recommendations released in June
• Unfinished Business: The Missing Elements of a Sustainable Energy Policy: Report on issues the group felt were being overlooked in climate legislation released in October
• Statement on Waxman-Markey
• Web site on energy

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