Energy Association in Full Swing Over Rahall's Energy Bill

onJul 24, 2007 @ 11:36 PDT

Rep. Nick Rahall’s (D-W.VA) energy reform bill will be the center of debate on Capitol Hill this week, and energy lobbyists are swinging into action. Two of the most contentious sections of the Rahall Bill will see an extension of drilling permit approvals from 30 days to 90 and limit royalties to oil companies.

One of the main opponents to the Rahall Bill is an industry group called the “Alliance for Energy and Economic Growth” (AEEG). The AEEG is being run out of a Post Office Box in Washington, DC and describes itself as:

“… a broad-based coalition whose members develop, deliver, or consume energy from all sources. With more than 1,200 members, the Alliance is seeking to build a national consensus for a comprehensive U.S. energy strategy that balances supply and demand without compromising environmental safeguards, so that we can fuel America’s dynamic economy and support our quality of life.”

While member information is not available on the AEEG website, we came across a 2005 brochure listing the AEEG‘s steering committee members. They include:

National Manufacturer’s Association

US Oil and Gas Association

Peabody Enegry

Alliance of Automobile Manufacturer’s

TXU Electric and Gas

The archived AEEG website has a more comprehensive list of members.

In 2001, the AEEG ran a massive advertising offensive helping prop up the Bush/Cheney Energy Bill. In fact, according to a 2001 Washington Post story, a leaked memo by Republican lobbyist Wayne Valis states that there is only one condition to becoming a member of the AEEG, and that is:

“’To join the coalition, you must agree to support the Bush energy proposal in its entirety and not to lobby for changes to the bill,’ Valis wrote. ‘Should the bill change, you must support the changes in the legislation or drop out of the coalition. If you are caught attempting to lobby behind the back of the White House, you will be expelled from the coalition. I have been advised that this White House ‘will have a long memory.’”

While individual names are also not available on the AEEG website, a bit of research reveals the two key individuals attached to the organization. They are:

Bruce Josten, executive vice president government affairs, US Chamber of Commerce was one of the founders of the AEEG and also serves as the AEEG spokesperson.

Luke Popvich, vice president, external communications, National Mining Association also serves as an AEEG spokesperson.

Did we miss anything? Please send any further information on the AEEG to desmogblog[at]gmail.com

By Kevin Grandia

Kevin is a contributor and strategic adviser to DeSmog. He runs the digital marketing agency Spake Media House. Named a “Green Hero” by Rolling Stone Magazine and one of the “Top 50 Tweeters” on climate change and environment issues, Kevin has appeared in major news media outlets around the world for his work on digital campaigning. Kevin has been involved in the public policy arena in both the United States and Canada for more than a decade. For five years he was the managing editor of DeSmogBlog.com. In this role, Kevin’s research into the “climate denial industry” and the right-wing think tank networks was featured in news media articles around the world. He is most well known for his ground-breaking research into David and Charles Koch’s massive financial investments in the Republican and tea party networks. Kevin is the first person to be designated a “Certified Expert” on the political and community organizing platform NationBuilder. Prior to DeSmog, Kevin worked in various political and government roles. He was Senior Advisor to the Minister of State for Multiculturalism and a Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Asia Pacific, Foreign Affairs for the Government of Canada. Kevin also worked in various roles in the British Columbia provincial government in the Office of the Premier and the Ministry of Health. In 2008 Kevin co-founded a groundbreaking new online election tool called Vote for Environment which was later nominated for a World Summit Award in recognition of the world’s best e-Content and innovative ICT applications. Kevin moved to Washington, DC in 2010 where he worked for two years as the Director of Online Strategy for Greenpeace USA and has since returned to his hometown of Vancouver, Canada.