Editorials & Other Articles

bananas

(27,509 posts) Fri Jun 6, 2014, 10:28 AM Jun 2014

Electric utilities back Republicans in Senate elections

http://www.utilitydive.com/news/electric-utilities-back-republicans-in-senate-elections/271325/

Electric utilities back Republicans in Senate elections
By Claire Cameron
June 6, 2014

Dive Brief:

The Republican party are increasingly winning the financial backing of U.S. energy companies in the run up to the 2014 mid-term elections. Republicans need six seats to take control of the Senate majority.
Political action committees (PAC) for the electric utility industry have given 63% of their donations on Republican candidates in this election cycle. Oil and gas companies spent an even greater proportion, with 83% of total spending going to Republicans.
In contrast, environmental groups are giving more to Democrats, with billionaire investor Tom Steyer pledging $100 million in donations for candidates with pro-climate action policies through his NextGen Climate Action Committee super-PAC.

Dive Insight:

At the last mid-term elections, electric utilities spent 55% of their money on Democrats and 43% on Republicans. Since then, the Obama administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have proposed new rules aimed at curbing CO2 emissions from new and existing power plants. The Republican party has been outspoken in decrying these rules, saying they undermine the energy industry and raise electricity prices for consumers.

bananas

(27,509 posts)

1. Energy Industry Places Big Bets on Republican Senate Victory

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Fri Jun 6, 2014, 10:30 AM

Jun 2014

"The giving pattern represents a departure from the typical model followed by business PACs, which tend to donate to incumbents and split their checks between the two parties at closer margins."

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-06-05/energy-industry-placing-big-bets-on-republican-senate-win

Energy Industry Places Big Bets on Republican Senate Victory
By Laura Litvan June 05, 2014

Energy companies are giving more to Republicans to help them win a U.S. Senate majority and counter President Barack Obama’s environmental agenda.

<snip>

Six Seats

Republicans need a net gain of six seats to wrest Senate control and the partisan tilt of the donations coincides with Obama’s efforts to combat climate change. This week, the White House unveiled new rules targeting coal-fired power plants, and the president has faced criticism for delaying a decision on building the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

Energy companies are also seeking to force Senate action on legislation that has already passed the Republican-controlled U.S. House.

Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, last month blocked final votes on a Republican proposal that would force the Energy Department to approve natural gas exports to certain nations. He also resisted a measure that would bypass Obama and approve TransCanada Corp. (TRP)’s cross-border pipeline.

<snip>

The giving pattern represents a departure from the typical model followed by business PACs, which tend to donate to incumbents and split their checks between the two parties at closer margins.

<snip>

bananas

(27,509 posts)

2. The Bloomberg article is also at Fuelfix

Reply to bananas (Reply #1)

Fri Jun 6, 2014, 10:44 AM

Jun 2014

in case it gets paywalled. It has a lot of important info.
http://fuelfix.com/blog/2014/06/06/energy-industry-places-big-bets-on-republican-senate-victory/

Uncle Joe

(58,328 posts)

3. Kicked and recommended.

Reply to bananas (Original post)

Fri Jun 6, 2014, 11:15 AM

Jun 2014

Thanks for the thread, bananas.

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