Money In Politics And The Environment

Americans for Campaign Reform

Fact Sheet

Money in Politics and the Environment Energy Industry Influence in Washington 1. Energy Invests $3 billion in Washington

Figure 1: Total Energy Industry Contributions, 1990-2008

‣ The energy industry, including oil and gas, electric utilities, mining, and waste management, contributed $455 million to federal candidates between 1990-2006 ‣ The energy industry spent $2.3 billion to lobby the federal government between 1998-2008 ‣ 63% of energy industry contributions between 19902008 came from PACs and soft money; the remaining 37% came in large individual contributions ‣ Members of the U.S. House and Senate received an average of $43,658 and $161,423, respectively, in 2008 energy industry contributions as of July 28, 2008

2. Energy Outspends Environment 20:1 ‣ The energy industry contributed $20 to federal candidates for every $1 contributed by environmental groups between 1990-2008 ‣ The energy industry spent $225 million to lobby the federal government in 2008 compared with $11 million by environmental groups, a factor of 21:1 ‣ The disparity in energy industry versus environmental contributions to members of Congress rose to 30:1 in the lead-up to landmark 2005 energy legislation

$70,000,000 Soft Money Contribs PAC Contribs Individual Contribs

$60,000,000 $50,000,000 $40,000,000 $30,000,000 $20,000,000 $10,000,000 $0

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

Figure 2: Contributions from Energy Sectors vs. Environmental Organizations, 1990-2008 $22,500,000 $20,000,000

3. Energy Targets Regulators & Incumbents ‣ 82% of energy industry contributions in 2008 were given to incumbents in both parties ‣ Eight of the top ten House recipients in 2008 were members of the House Natural Resources, Energy & Commerce, and Transportation committees responsible for energy policy; the remaining two top recipients were members of senior leadership in both parties ‣ Eight of the top ten Senate recipients in 2008 were members of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources, Environment & Public Works, and Transportation committees (excluding presidential candidates) ‣ The average contribution to top ten recipients was $280,000 and $393,000 for House and Senate, respectively, or between 3-6 times the congressional average

4. Energy Money Follows Partisan Trends ‣ Although overall energy industry contributions favored Republicans between 1990-2008, the proportion given to each party followed partisan trends ‣ When Democrats controlled Congress, they received an average of 40% of total contributions, compared with 26% when they were in the minority Source: Center for Responsive Politics analysis of campaign finance disclosures filed with the Federal Election Commission, 1990-2008

5 Bicentennial Square

Concord, NH 03301

Environment Mining Electric Utilities Oil & Gas

$17,500,000 $15,000,000 $12,500,000 $10,000,000 $7,500,000 $5,000,000 $2,500,000 $0

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008

Electric Util Oil & Gas Misc. Energy Mining Environment

Figure 3: Lobbying Expenditures, 2008 Industry

Spending

Electric Utilities

$94,579,735

Oil & Gas

$76,298,462

Misc. Energy

$36,876,378

Mining

$17,005,249

Environment

$11,095,130

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7%5% 16%

www.youstreet.org

40%

32%