May 30, 2024

OpenSecrets Unveils New Tool Exposing Influences Shaping Energy and Environmental Policy

OpenSecrets unveils its latest transparency tool: the Climate Issue Profile. This online resource exposes the financial forces shaping energy and environmental policy, providing crucial insights into the influences driving America’s climate agenda.

NRA slashed spending on federal lobbying amid legal troubles

The NRA reported spending $540,000 in federal lobbying spending during the first quarter of 2024 — the least amount of money the group has spent in Q1 since 2009. As the NRA’s legal troubles mounted, NRA revenue fell 40% from $352.6 million in 2018 to $211.3 million in 2022, the lowest in ten years, tax records show. At the same time, the organization nearly doubled the amount of money it spent on legal expenses. 

Federal lobbying spending tops $1.2 billion in first quarter of 2024

Federal lobbying spending exceeded $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2024 — putting the year on track for another nominal record, a new OpenSecrets analysis found. When adjusted for inflation, the $1.2 billion in first-quarter federal lobbying spending represents a 1.3% increase compared to the same period last year. 

Chart of the Week
Dive deeper into the data behind the headlines

What to Know:

Environmental groups have grown their influence as climate change becomes a matter of increasing public concern but are regularly outspent by fossil fuel interests in lobbying and campaign contributions.

The future of the climate depends largely on the trajectory of the oil and gas industry, a major source of political spending and government influence. Although the largest fossil fuel producers in the U.S. have pledged their commitment to a clean energy transition, most are still actively expanding their capacity to extract oil and gas.

By the Numbers:

The $2.8 billion in federal lobbying spending by the oil and gas industry from 1998 to 2023 far overshadows the roughly $430 million spent by environmental groups over the same period. In 2023, the Oil & Gas lobby hired 754 lobbyists, 480 (63.66%) of which were 'revolving door' hires who formerly held roles in the government they seek to influence. 

Dig Deeper:

As alternative energy has become an influential industry in its own right, many major oil and gas producers have also established dedicated renewable energy divisions focused on biofuels, solar, wind and geothermal power. Clean energy investments could act as a hedge against the impacts of a transition away from fossil fuels, even as some oil and gas interests use their influence to fight against renewable energy development.

See our media citations from outlets around the nation this week:

Democrats Plan $100 Million Push on Abortion Rights to Win House (The Washington Post)

The super PAC supporting Democrats’ effort to win back the House majority is launching a $100 million fund focused on abortion rights, the latest sign that the party is leaning heavily on the issue this fall to help counter concerns about the economy and immigration policy. Major donors so far this cycle for the House Majority PAC include Reed Hastings, the co-founder and executive chairman of Netflix, and entrepreneur Fred Eychaner, according to OpenSecrets. 

RFK Jr. super PAC chair to publish tell-all memoir by mother of Hunter Biden’s child (CNBC)

The co-chairman of a super PAC supporting Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s presidential bid announced his company plans to publish a book by a woman who had a child with Hunter Biden. Roberts’ memoir will be published by Skyhorse Publishing, a company whose president, Tony Lyons, is a co-founder of the pro-Kennedy super PAC American Values 2024. So far this cycle, AV24 has raised $49.6 million and spent $29.2 million, according to data from the nonpartisan OpenSecrets. Skyhorse Publishing has donated $154,920 to the PAC during the same period.

Schwarzman Plans to Back Trump, Scoring a Wall Street Win for GOP (Bloomberg)

Blackstone Inc. Chief Executive Officer Steve Schwarzman says he will raise money for Donald Trump’s campaign, handing the presumptive Republican nominee a major win as he builds his donor base. Schwarzman, 77, is one Wall Street’s biggest Republican donors. In the 2020 election cycle alone, he donated more than $35 million to entities supporting Trump and other Republican candidates, according to OpenSecrets

As crypto cash floods Washington, Congress eyes gentler regulations (The Washington Post)

Democratic Arizona congressional candidate talks about why she was a Republican (USA TODAY)

Ripple pumps additional $25 million into pro-crypto super PAC (The Hill)

Bill and Hillary Clinton to host exclusive Biden dinner fundraiser (Fox News)

Rep. Tony Gonzales projected winner of closely watched Texas primary runoff (ABC News)

‘So Much Death’: Lawmakers Weigh Stricter Speed Limits, Safer Roads for Pedestrians (US News & World Report)

"Very abnormal": Expert worries pro-Israel megadonors trying to make Dems a "pro-Netanyahu party" (Salon)

Biden and Big Oil had a truce. Now, it’s collapsing (Seattle Times)

How 'dark money' influences Wyoming elections (Gillette News Record)

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