Campaign Contributions Versus Lobbying: Big Oil Spends Big Money in Washington

Jennifer Lance — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:35:56 +0000

Big oil has been spending big money in Washington, but it may surprise you that gas and oil companies spend more money on corporate lobbying than individual campaign contributions. Why chose lobbying over campaign contributions? Lobbying is more effective at crushing energy bills, as we have seen this year. As Ralph Nader explains, “The corporate lobby in Washington is basically designed to stifle all legislative activity on behalf of consumers.” It’s no coincidence that recently the Senate blocked the extension renewable energy tax credits.

Thus far in 2008, oil and gas companies have spent $55,339,015 million on lobbying in an effort to convince lawmakers to vote in the industry’s favor and against renewables. Not surprisingly, the top spender is Exxon-Mobil. At the current rate of spending, the industry is set to break last year’s record of $83 million. Big Oil defends this increased spending in response to more energy bills being on the “menu” and denies it is responsible for the failure of these bills; however, lobbying dollars speak for themselves. According to CNN:

The oil industry may have not gotten its drilling wish list just yet, but so far they have been able to avoid higher taxes.

Meanwhile, the renewable energy folks haven’t seen a big increase in funding.

Looking at the dollars spent lobbying Congress, that may not be surprising. The renewable industry and their allies in the environmental movement have spent a combined $19 million lobbying Congress this year - half what the oil industry has spent.
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Campaign Contributions Versus Lobbying: Big Oil Spends Big Money in Washington