Tuesday, February 16, 2010 2:41 PM
Big-Spending Companies Leave Climate Alliance
By Amy Harder, NationalJournal.com
This morning's news that ConocoPhillips, BP and Caterpillar are withdrawing from the United States Climate Action Partnership, the coalition that helped craft the Waxman-Markey climate bill, was more than a symbolic blow to proponents of climate legislation.
The lobbying firepower these companies can bring to bear against unfavorable bills could make passing any legislation they oppose a costly proposition. ConocoPhillips more than doubled its lobbying in 2009, from roughly $8.5 million in 2008 to $18.1 million last year. BP also increased its lobbying, from $10.5 million in 2008 to $16 million in 2009. Combined with Caterpillar's $2.6 million spent lobbying in 2009, the three groups sent more than $36.7 million last year to K Street.
ConocoPhillips Chairman and CEO Jim Mulva said in a statement that the climate change bills currently on the table in both chambers of Congress "have disadvantaged the transportation sector and its consumers, left domestic refineries unfairly penalized versus international competition, and ignored the critical role that natural gas can play in reducing GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions."
The climate partnership has almost 30 members, ranging from industrial giants Exelon and Duke Energy to environmental groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council and The Nature Conservancy.
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