Environmental groups decry gas industry's political contributions
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HARRISBURG -- An environmental/liberal coalition said Thursday that massive contributions by the shale gas-drilling industry to state and national politicians show an urgent need to limit campaign donations in the state and to enact greater transparency in reporting so citizens can know what's going on.
A four-month study by Common Cause, which calls itself the people's lobby, found that over the past 10 years, natural gas companies have spent more than $747 million across the country on a "stunningly successful" campaign to win the support of members of Congress and state legislators for "weak" regulations. The study was released at a news conference in Harrisburg.
The natural gas lobby "pumps cash into Congress" and the state Legislature to "avoid government regulation of hydraulic 'fracking,' a fast-growing and environmentally risky process used in Pennsylvania and a dozen other states to tap underground natural gas reserves," Common Cause Director Barry Kauffman said. The study is called "Deep Drilling, Deep Pockets."
He was joined in his call for campaign contribution limits by Democracy Rising PA, the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center, the Pennsylvania Council of Churches and the League of Women Voters.
"It is imperative that we connect with legislators," the League said in a statement. Voters should "call them or write them or e-mail them. Tell them to protect the people and not the polluters."
As for Pennsylvania members of Congress, Rep. Tim Murphy was the big winner from 2001-10, getting $275,499 from the gas industry. Second was Sen. Pat Toomey, at $160,750. Third was Rep. Jason Altmire, at $65,635.
For state politicians, Gov. Tom Corbett was far and away the leader, at $1.6 million. Second was state Senate President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati at $282,034; third was state Rep. Dave Reed, R-Indiana, at $105,732. House Republican leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, got $79,100.
First Published November 11, 2011 12:00 am
