Energy & Environmental Giving in the States

Publication Date: May 2007

Publisher: National Institute on Money in State Politics (U.S.)

Author(s): Megan Moore

Research Area: Politics

Type: Report

Abstract:

Energy companies across the nation are subject to closer scrutiny as ever-increasing attention is focused on climate change. These companies contribute large sums of money to state-level politics, and the environmental groups that they often go head-to-head with on energy policy also give, albeit to a lesser degree.

Non-individual contributors from the oil and gas, electric utilities and coal mining industries contributed $58.3 million to state-level candidates and party committees from 2003 through 2006. On the other side, pro-environmental policy organizations gave $2.1 million and alternative energy interests contributed almost $564,000. An Institute analysis of contributions from energy companies, pro-environmental policy groups and alternative energy interest.