American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity

America’s Power – Formerly American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE)

Background

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is a 501(c)(6) corporation chartered in Washington, DC, and formed by “More than 40 leading U.S. companies from the electricity generation, transportation, coal production, energy technology, and equipment manufacturing industries,” according to an April 2008 press release. The group now goes by the name America’s Power.1New Multi-Industry Coalition Aligns to Advocate Energy Security and Environmental Stewardship,” BusinessWire, April 17, 2008. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/7Do4h 2About,” America’s Power. Archived December 20, 2019. Archive.ph URL:  https://archive.ph/lk5db

ACCCE believes that the use of coal, America’s most abundant energy resource, is essential to providing affordable, reliable electricity for millions of American consumers and a growing domestic economy. ACCCE also supports enhanced public and private sector efforts to develop and deploy new, advanced clean coal technologies that protect and improve the environment,” the press release read.3New Multi-Industry Coalition Aligns to Advocate Energy Security and Environmental Stewardship,” BusinessWire, April 17, 2008. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/7Do4h

ACCCE was formed through the joining of the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED) with Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC).4New Multi-Industry Coalition Aligns to Advocate Energy Security and Environmental Stewardship,” BusinessWire, April 17, 2008. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/7Do4h ACCCE took shape in April 2008, at the same time the US Senate was considering new climate legislation. It followed a late-2007 campaign by its predecessor, ABEC, that had introduced an iconic image—an orange power cord plugging into a lump of coal. ACCCE‘s revised strategy claimed to support limits on CO2 as long as legislation encouraged a “robust utilization of coal.”5The ‘clean coal’ lobbying blitz,” The Center for Public Integrity, April 21, 2009. Archived June 8, 2013. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/A7lt6

ACCCE‘s membership has included Alpha Natural ResourcesArch Coal, Inc.Murray Energy CorporationSouthern CompanyWestern Fuels Association, Union Pacific Railroad, Peabody Energy, CSX, Duke Energy, Detroit Edison, and many other coal and mining companies. On its current website, AmericasPower.org, ACCCE describes itself as “the only national trade organization whose sole mission is to advocate at the federal and state levels on behalf of coal-fueled electricity and the coal fleet.” Southern Company and American Electric Power both left ACCCE in 2019.6About Us and Our Mission,” ACCCE. Archived August 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/cJpEN 7Benjamin Storrow. “Under pressure, 2 utilities ditch pro-coal trade group,” E&E News, December 2, 2019. Archived December 2, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/UslGr

In 2009, ACCCE was listed as number three on the Mother Jones “Dirty Dozen,” a list of groups described as the “loudest members of the chorus claiming that global warming is a joke and that CO2 emissions are actually good for you.”8No. 3: American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity,” Mother Jones, December 4, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL:  https://archive.is/xO7bi

The Nation described ACCCE as “The driving force behind coal’s rebranding effort,” consisting of a “a $40 million campaign funded by all the major components of the modern coal industry–mining companies, power plants, railroads, rural electric co-ops.”9Ari Berman. “The Dirty on Clean Coal,” The Nation, March 26, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/43sb0

Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC)/ America’s Power Army

One year after ACCCE was formed, Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) sent out a mailer that reported it had changed its name again to “America’s Power Army.” The new name was taken “to be consistent with our advertising campaign, ‘America’s Power’ and the corresponding website, Americaspower.org.” [

“Together with our parent organization ACCCE (American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity) we work at the federal, regional, state and local levels on a range of energy policy issues, including climate change, mercury, ozone, and regional haze, as well as the siting of new, high tech clean coal-fueled power plants,” the mailer read.10APA News,” Spring 2009 issue. Archived with Archive.is.

DeSmog reported that the mailer also laid out plans to target key Democratic senators to ensure that energy and climate legislation would benefit the clean coal lobby.11Brendan DeMelle. “ACCCE Coal Lobby Targeting Key Democrats In Senate Climate Debate,” DeSmog, September 23, 2009.

Before joining with the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED) to create ACCCE, ABEC had sponsored a range of clean coal ads, including three TV ads that ran in Washington, DC. One report estimated that ABEC spent $8.32 million on TV ads between 2001 and 2002.12Legislative Issue Advertising in the 107th Congress,” The Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania, July 2003. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED)

The Center for Energy and Economic Development began in 1992 as a partnership between U.S. coal companies and the rail industry. Stephen L. Miller served as president of CEED, and John Snow of CSX Corporation was the founding chairman of the board. Snow explained that CEED was formed because, “our nation’s most abundant energy resource was under attack, placing our energy security in jeopardy”. “Something more had to be done,” he added. CEED, one of the two groups joined to create ACCCE, formerly offered the following description on its website:13“About the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED),” DeSmog.

The Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED) began in 1992 as a partnership between the U.S. coal and rail industries. CEED‘s membership has grown dramatically. Utilities, equipment manufacturers, labor unions, and others have also joined in the effort.”14“About the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED),” DeSmog.

CEED produced two “educational” videos on climate change. The first was called “America Speaks Out” which promised to “tell the personal stories of real-life Americans who will be negatively affected by this flawed treaty that even the world’s scientists can’t agree is necessary.” The CEED website also formerly offered the following statement on climate change:15“About the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED),” DeSmog.

“We’ve all heard of climate change or global warming. Many of us even have our own opinion about whether this is a serious problem or an exaggerated concern.
If predicting the weather were easy, we’d never be caught in the rain without an umbrella. Predicting weather conditions a day or two in advance is hard enough […] so just imagine how hard it is to forecast what our climate will be 75 to 100 years in the future.”16“About the Center for Energy and Economic Development (CEED),” DeSmog.

Stance on Climate Change

2004

A leaked 2004 memo from Steve Miller, CEO of the Center for Energy and Economic Development (the forerunner to ACCCE), to Peabody Energy outlined the group’s strategies on a range of issues:17Kevin Grandia. “Leaked Clean Coal Strategy Memo to Peabody Energy,” DeSmog, January 16, 2009.

On climate change:

“In the climate change arena, CEED focuses on three areas: opposing government-mandated controls of greenhouse gases (caps”>GHG), opposing ‘regulation by litigation’, and supporting sequestration and technology as the proper vehicles for addressing any reasonable concerns about greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.”

And:“Our belief is that, on climate change like other issues, you must be for something rather than against everything. The combination of carbon sequestration and technology is what we preach and we are looking for more members in the choir.”

On the McCain-Lieberman Bill:

“The McCain-Lieberman bill would create a national CO2 cap and trade program that would be highly injurious to coal-based electricity.”

“And the plan to fight the bill,

“Last week, we activated the Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) citizen army to call targeted U.S. Senators, urging them to vote against this amendment. Through today, more than 6,000 citizen members have called or e-mailed their senators. Our most recent effort follows on the heels of last fall’s citizen army activation, which generated more than 7,000 calls to target Senators in opposition to McCain-Lieberman. Joe Lucas, our Vice President’s Communications, coordinates this ABEC activity.”

On opposing a regional cap and trade program:

“More than a year ago, New York Governor Pataki proposed an eleven-state regional CO2 cap and trade program. CEED has been engaged in this effort from its beginning. Persuading Pennsylvania and Maryland (as major coal-consuming states) to stay on the sidelines, rather than signing onto this initiative, has been one element of our strategy. The other element is to pose voluntary sequestration and technology as the correct policy, rather than mandatory controls.” (Emphasis added).

On “sowing discord” amongst regions:

“In recent weeks, we have persuaded the RGGI (Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative) participants to post the following pieces of CEED research on their web site for consumption by the states:

* A 2003 New Hope study showing reductions in greenhouse gases by the RGGI states would have an infinitesimal affect on global GHG concentrations.

* A 2003 Energy Ventures Analysis (EVA) study revealing negative economic results would flow to northeastern states that constrain CO2 emissions.

* A 2004 Energy Ventures Analysis report analyzing the affect of various cap and trade proposals, along with an output-based standard, on RGGI states as well as Pennsylvania and Maryland. EVA found that the economic consequences vary widely.

We plan to use this research to sow discord among the RGGI states. ” (Emphasis added).

On the EPA decision to regulate greenhouse gas:

“About a dozen states sued the EPA last year alleging that the agency must regulate CO2 under the Clean Air Act. CEED was the lead organization for outreach to the vast majority of state attorneys general who intervened on the Bush Administration’s side in new litigation designed to force CO2 regulation under the Clean Air Act.”

On regional carbon sequestration programs:

“For almost a year, CEED has participated in six regional carbon sequestration partnerships established by the U.S. Department of Energy. We made modest financial contributions to the partnerships so that we can participate in their substantive decisions. Our staff and Ned Leonard (who is a loaned executive from Western Fuels Association) have interacted with and, where appropriate, guided these regional partnerships in terms of public policy and public outreach. Our goal is straightforward: persuade states that voluntary sequestration activities and technology investments are appropriate policies to address climate change concerns, while government mandatory controls are not.” (Emphasis added).

On Mercury:

“Our strategy in dealing with mercury has been two-fold: prevent states from taking precipitous or unwarranted action to regulate mercury and engage in the federal rulemaking to protect the interests of coal-based electricity.”

And,

“In 2003, the Quicksilver Caucus with ECOS [Environmental Council of States] tried to pass a resolution calling for the “virtual elimination” of mercury. CEED worked in a coalition with other organizations and companies to convince many states that the Quicksilver strategy was not the right approach and the ‘virtual elimination’ verbiage failed.”

Funding

ACCCE/America’s Power 990 Forms

ABEC 990 Forms

Independent Contractors

Since 2008, ACCCE has recorded its top 5 highest-compensated “independent contractors” on its public 990 forms. Summary below:

Contractor2008200920102011201220132014201520162017Grand Total
WHITE & PARTNERS $9,574,356$16,639,046$23,943,108$16,169,526     $66,326,036
VIRILION $14,033,820$5,004,538       $19,038,358
THE HAWTHORN GROUP LC$1,199,940$2,106,064$2,972,810$2,008,860$1,591,098     $9,878,772
DCI GROUP    $1,187,219$2,811,881$2,083,525$1,583,262$673,111$490,770$8,829,768
R&R PARTNERS INC $2,639,390$2,439,179$1,626,678      $6,705,247
NEW MEDIA STRATEGIES  $672,346$1,559,938$4,018,884     $6,251,168
NATIONAL ECONOMIC RESEARCH ASSOCIATES   $997,512$1,369,567     $2,367,079
DDC ADVOCACY       $387,902$1,093,877 $1,481,779
VENABLE LLP$455,612$812,101       $134,494$1,402,207
JR MOTORSPORTS LLC     $769,157    $769,157
VAN NESS FELDMAN      $307,725 $223,716$167,446$698,887
JDA FRONTLINE     $650,108    $650,108
EUGENE TRISKO$270,833    $286,353    $557,186
BLUEPRINT COMMUNICATIONS      $240,000$300,000  $540,000
CAUSEWAY SOLUTIONS       $513,891  $513,891
QUINN GUILLESPIE LLC$506,709         $506,709
SEBY LARSEN LLP     $398,479    $398,479
REAL CLEAR HOLDINGS LLC       $346,000  $346,000
BRACEWELL & GIULIANI LLP        $342,302 $342,302
RT STRATEGIES$335,711         $335,711
NJI MEDIA      $313,775   $313,775
HUNTON WILLIAMS LLP         $261,736$261,736
STATESIDE ASSOCIATES        $252,045 $252,045
WILKINSON BARKERK NAUER LLP      $240,399   $240,399
HHQ VENTURES         $142,500$142,500
Grand Total$2,768,805$29,165,731$27,727,919$30,136,096$24,336,294$4,915,978$3,185,424$3,131,055$2,585,051$1,196,946$129,149,299

Lobbying Expenditures

The following is collected from data at OpenSecrets.org, combining data for both the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity and its former iteration, Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (grand totals in bold):18American Cltn for Clean Coal Electricity,” OpenSecrets.org. Accessed August 2, 2017.

American Cltn for Clean Coal Electricity$21,456,369
2006$20,000
2007$40,000
2008$9,945,276
2009$1,557,557
2010$2,993,536
2011$3,370,000
2012$1,720,000
2013$780,000
2014$620,000
2015$280,000
2016$10,000
2017$120,000
Americans for Balanced Energy Choices$7,577,320

2005

$1,994,329
2006$2,562,991
2007$3,020,000
Brownstein, Hyatt et al$260,000
2013$130,000
2014$130,000
Center for Energy$540,000
2001$60,000
2002$120,000
2003$120,000
2004$120,000
2005$100,000
2006$20,000
Hobart Ventures$80,000
2017$80,000
Keelen Group$50,000
2008$40,000
2009$10,000
Podesta Group$1,220,000
2009$350,000
2010$450,000
2012$350,000
2013$70,000
Quinn Gillespie & Assoc$740,000
2008$480,000
2009$260,000
Scherder & Assoc$170,000
2003$30,000
2004$60,000
2005$60,000
2006$20,000
Van Ness Feldman$30,000
2013$30,000
Willard Group$110,000
2001$50,000
2002$60,000
Grand Total$32,233,689

Key People

The following people have been listed on the ACCCE‘s website, year over year.

Name20102011201220142015201620172018Description
Paul BaileyYYYYYYYYPresident and CEO
Vicky SullivanYYYYYYYYAssociate Vice President of Policy Development
Katherine Sigler      Y Associate VP of Operations
Michelle Bloodworth      YYChief Operating Officer
Mitchell Baer      YYAssociate Vice President for Policy Analysis
Darren Bearson   YYY  Senior Vice President for State Affairs and Outreach
Laura Sheehan   YYY  Senior Vice President for Communications
Robert M. “Mike” Duncan   YYY  President & CEO
Mark OuradaYYYYY   Vice President for Central Region
Randy EmingerYYYYY   Vice President for South Region
Bob Paduchik YYYY   Chief of Staff
Jeff Bloczynski  YYY   Associate Vice President for Economic Analysis 
Maureen Healey  YYY   Vice President for Eastern Region
Julia Treanor    Y   Senior Director, Communications
Bianca PradeYYY     Vice President for Digital Strategy
Lisa Camooso MillerYYY     Vice President for Media Relations
Ned LeonardYYY     Vice President for Program Services
Pat CavanaghYYY     Vice President for Federal Relations
Phil KlingelhoferYYY     Senior Vice President for Strategy Management and Operations
Steve MillerYYY     President and CEO
Evan Tracey YY     Senior Vice President for Communications
Jayne Somes-Schloesser YY     Vice President for Administration
John PaulYY      Vice President for East Region
Jon WadsworthYY      Vice President for Advocacy and Outreach
Terry RossY       Vice President for West Region

ACCCE Directors

The following is taken from publicly available 990 forms.

Name200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015Description
Mark Ourada  YYYYYYYYYYVP – Central Region
Matthew RoseYYY YYYYYYYYDirector
Robert Murray YY YYYYYYYYDirector
Charles R EmingerYY   YYYYYYYVP – South Region
Paul Bailey     YYYYYYYSenior VP – Federal Affairs
Stephen Little     YYYYYYYDirector
Joseph Craft IIIYYY Y YYYYYYDirector
Anthony AhernYYYY  YYYYYYDirector
Bryan RonckYYY   YYYYYYDirector
Garry DrummondYYY   YYYYYYDirector
Kevin CrutchfieldY     YYYYYYDirector
Thomas Fanning      YYYYYYDirector
Robert Paduchik       YYYYYChief of Staff
Michael WardYYY YYY YYYYDirector
Jeffrey Bloczynski        YYYYVP – Federal Relations
John Eaves        YYYYDirector
Robert M Duncan        YYYYPresident and CEO
Maureen Healey         YYYVP – East Region
James JuraYYY       YYDirector
Darren Bearson          YYSenior VP – State Affairs
Laura Sheehan          YYSenior VP – Communications
Mike McInnes          YYDirector
Paul Sukut          YYDirector
Ted Doheny          YYDirector
Victoria Sullivan          YYVP – Federal Affairs
Wyatt Hogan          YYDirector
Charles Price       YYY YDirector
Duane D Higley       YYY YDirector
Nicholas Akins       YYY YDirector
Stuart Lowry       Y   YDirector
Ben Yamagata           YDirector
Don Gaston           YDirector
Fred Parker           YDirector
Gary Smith           YDirector
Glenn Kellow           YDirector
James Boyd           YDirector
Jim Matern           YDirector
Jim Squires           YDirector
Ken Taylor           YDirector
Lance Fritz           YDirector
Lisa Kost           YDirector
Meri Sandin           YDirector
Mike Nasi           YDirector
Mike Smith           YDirector
Nicholas Delulis           YDirector
Peter Glaser           YDirector
Vic Staffieri           YDirector
Warner L Baxter           YDirector
Duane RichardsYYY   YYYYY Director
Gerard AndersonYYY   YYYYY Director
Charles Moorman YY   YYYYY Director
Christopher Curfman YY   YYYYY Director
Clay Robbins      YYYYY Director
David Sinclair      YYYYY Director
Clare Gustin        YYY Director
John Koraleski        YYY Director
Joseph Power         YY Director
Bennett Hatfield      Y   Y Director
Dennis Welch  Y       Y Director
Ashlie Kuehn          Y Director
Kemal Williamson          Y Director
Kirkley Thomas          Y Director
Nicholas Deluliis          Y Director
Philip T KlingelhoferYYYYYYYYYY  Secretary-Treasurer
Michael Sutherlin    YYYYYY  Director
Nick Carter    YYYYYY  Director
Peter Dequattro     YYYYY  Director
Kenneth Anderson    Y YYYY  Director
Frank Calandra JrYYY   YYYY  Director
J Brett HarveyYY    YYYY  Director
Bianca Prade      YYYY  VP – Digital Strategy
David Fiorelli      YYYY  Director
Evan Tracey       YYY  Senior VP – Communications
Andrew Serri        YY  Director
Frederick Palmer        YY  Director
Scott Hutter        YY  Director
Stephen MillerYYYY YYYY   Past President & CEO
Lisa Miller     YYYY   VP – Media Relations
Edward Leonard    YY YY   VP – Program Services
David Lynch       YY   Director
Jayne Somes-Schloesser       YY   VP – Operations
Thomas Voss     YY Y   Director
John PaulYYYYYYYY    VP – North Region
Ronald HarperYYY YYYY    Director
Steven F LeerYYY YYYY    Director
Mark Dudzinski    YYYY    Director
Gregory H Boyce YY   YY    Director
James Young  Y   YY    Director
David Mengebier      YY    Director
Gary Voigt      YY    Director
Joel Kaplan      YY    Director
Anthony Alexander       Y    Director
Patrick Cavanagh       Y    VP – Federal Relations
Rosemary L WilsonYYYYYYY     VP – Policy
Terry RossYYYYYYY     VP – West Region
Shelby Joe LucasYY  YYY     Senior VP – Communications
Michael G Morris    YYY     Director
Paul Evanson    YYY     Director
William S Tate    YYY     Director
L Earl Watkins JrYYY Y Y     Director
John Wadsworth      Y     VP – Communications
Scott Wiseman  YYYY      Senior VP – State Affairs
Paul ThompsonYYY YY      Director
Shirley Crawford    YY      Director of Administration
Stephen Gates    YY      Communications Director
Thomas A Smith     Y      Director
Randy Eminger  YYY       VP – South Region
Nancy C MohnYYY Y       Director
Gary L Rainwater    Y       Director
John R McArthur    Y       Director
Kenneth W James    Y       Director
Mark Premo    Y       Director
Michael P Opalinski    Y       Director
Scott Darling    Y       Director
David Ratcliffe YYY        Chairman
Brett Harvey  YY        Vice Chairman
David SlumpYYY         Director
Don BlankenshipYYY         Director
Edward HambergerYYY         Director
Eric HennenYYY         Director
Gary RouletYYY         Director
Glenn EnglishYYY         Director
Greg KraftYYY         Director
J.M. ShaferYYY         Director
James RobertsYYY         Director
John Carroll JrYYY         Director
John GrishamYYY         Director
Randy HaymakerYYY         Director
Richard MidullaYYY         Director
Richard Walling SrYYY         Director
Thomas KuhnYYY         Director
Tom SchelatYYY         Director
Douglas McFarlan YY         Director
Ed Pettigrew YY         Director
Kraig Naasz YY         Director
Marcella Szel YY         Director
Mark Nelson YY         Director
Scott Miller YY         Director
Steve Sharp YY         Director
Colin Marshall  Y         Director
John Wendling  Y         Director
Mark Smith  Y         Director
Mike McCall  Y         Director
Robert Marshall  Y         Director
Vicky Will  Y         Director
William Barbieri  Y         Director
Bret ClaytonYY          Director
Charles WakildYY          Director
Clifford MiercortYY          Director
David WilksYY          Director
Dwight EvansYY          Director
Michael MenneYY          Director
Richard DavidsonYY          Director
Rick LancasterYY          Director
Rick ThomasYY          Director
Robert PowersYY          Director
Roy PalkYY          Director
Steven ParkerYY          Director
Theodore TobeckYY          Director
Fredrick Kuester Y          Director
Kelly Prasser Y          Director
Steve Holloway Y          Director
Albert PitcherY           Director
D. MenziesY           Director
David GoodeY           Director
Irl F. EngelhardtY           Chairman
Jack CoffmanY           Director
Jack GerardY           Director
John GrubbY           Director
Richard BensonY           Director
Richard WhiteY           Director
Rick SalleeY           Director
Steven SharpY           Director

Top Compensated Directors/Employees

The following data is sourced from publicly available 990 forms.

Name200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015Grand Total
Stephen Miller$524,765$610,000$969,460$850,000 $1,010,675$1,615,135$1,437,636$1,235,135   $8,252,806
Paul Bailey     $358,670$626,890$662,783$597,016$651,512$670,005$690,091$4,256,967
Robert M Duncan        $349,617$1,057,188$1,000,992$1,154,303$3,562,100
Philip T Klingelhofer$118,362$148,076$153,005$197,217$215,696$267,392$306,378$351,429$305,196$319,383  $2,382,134
Mark Ourada  $161,362$177,025$193,334$203,548$282,302$231,001$233,110$246,667$244,846$259,734$2,232,929
Robert Paduchik       $380,247$354,747$410,572$424,571$493,991$2,064,128
Charles R Eminger$147,805$168,017   $216,698$240,663$279,194$230,252$246,676$247,954$270,138$2,047,397
John Paul$190,000$192,721$196,194$211,827$223,297$240,794$241,333$244,108    $1,740,274
Rosemary L Wilson$158,983$194,912$171,088$194,910$217,144$229,442$236,665     $1,403,144
Terry Ross$155,182$166,259$168,372$191,244$210,053$218,579$227,901     $1,337,590
Jeffrey Bloczynski        $242,021$254,050$261,393$236,590$994,054
Scott Wiseman  $156,727$184,357$210,089$379,059      $930,232
Evan Tracey       $320,762$357,749$250,276  $928,787
Bianca Prade      $222,640$221,427$218,653$227,951  $890,671
Edward Leonard    $181,257$221,572 $243,123$235,497   $881,449
Shelby Joe Lucas$60,373$67,410  $279,280$224,687$189,349     $821,099
Lisa Miller     $151,737$221,505$222,005$207,723   $802,970
Laura Sheehan          $348,770$388,736$737,506
Maureen Healey         $241,395$242,231$226,789$710,415
Darren Bearson          $248,497$347,780$596,277
Randy Eminger  $170,256$191,791$207,452       $569,499
Jayne Somes-Schloesser       $247,884$225,044   $472,928
Victoria Sullivan          $223,603$236,283$459,886
Shirley Crawford    $108,096$126,008      $234,104
Patrick Cavanagh       $227,822    $227,822
Stephen Gates    $105,222$113,741      $218,963
John Wadsworth      $187,076     $187,076

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June 3, 2021

America’s Power filed a brief in West Virginia v. EPA, a U.S. Supreme Court case that reduced the EPA’s ability to regulate power plants under the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan. The brief filed by America’s Power was prepared by a Washington D.C. law firm, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. In June 2022, the court ruled 6-3 against the EPA.19RESPONSE OF AMERICA’S POWER IN SUPPORT OF CERTIORARI in STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND MICHAEL REGAN, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, Respondents,” Supreme Court of the United States docket no. 20-1530, June 3, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 20Re: West Virginia, et al. v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, et al., No. 20-153″ (PDF), Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, November 24, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 21BRIEF OF RESPONDENT AMERICA’S POWER IN SUPPORT OF PETITIONERS in WEST VIRGINIA, ET AL., Petitioners, v. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND MICHAEL REGAN, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, Respondents,” Supreme Court of the United States docket nos. 20-1530, 20-1531, 20-1778, and 20-1780, December 13, 2021. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

January 13, 2020

Heartland Institute Senior Fellow Fred Palmer published an article at the coal mining industry publication CoalZoom describing a plan to form a new group called “Saving US Coal.22”Fred Palmer. “Saving US Coal – A Path Forward to Preserve the Existing Coal Fleet,” Coalzoom.com, January 13, 2020. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ERIm8 The Saving US Coal Campaign is a partnership between CoalZoom and Craig Idso’s Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change (CSCDGC/CO2 Science)23Saving US Coal,” CO2 Science. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ZBSIC with donations being funneled through CSCDGC.24“Saving US Coal” (PDF)Center for the Study of Carbon Dioxide and Global Change. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

“’Saving US Coal’ has been created to be the vehicle for turning the tide for the full acceptance of coal in the US energy market by undertaking a campaign to repeal CO2 Endangerment at EPA. That requires a compelling EPA filing, of course, one that proves the benign and beneficial nature of more CO2 in the air based on the incredible work that Craig Idso has carried on for his Dad, Sherwood Idso and mentor, Sylvan Wittwer. However, it also requires creation of a coal coalition, like the Climate council quoted above, and the make-up of that coalition can be learned from coal’s past,” Palmer wrote.25Fred Palmer. “Saving US Coal – A Path Forward to Preserve the Existing Coal Fleet,” Coalzoom.com, January 13, 2020. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ERIm8

He envisions the group to be a modern equivalent to CEED, the coal industry group that later merged to form ACCCE. As Palmer described it:26Fred Palmer. “Saving US Coal – A Path Forward to Preserve the Existing Coal Fleet,” Coalzoom.com, January 13, 2020. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ERIm8

“In 1992, CEED was formed to meet the challenge to coal plants due to coal combustion and its CO2 profile and engage at the state level.”27Fred Palmer. “Saving US Coal – A Path Forward to Preserve the Existing Coal Fleet,” Coalzoom.com, January 13, 2020. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ERIm8

… .

CEED was successful in the 90s and the approach used then can inform for today. Coal’s challenge today at the state level is much more serious than it was in 1992, for the simple reason that the great investor owned utilities in CEED have switched sides and they own the regulated coal plants. But the CEED model never depended on the nature of CEED‘s members, it depended and depends on defending CO2 in defense of Coal. ‘Saving US Coal’ is the only entity that can do this today and its leaders were engaged directly in the 90s with CEED and succeeding years. ‘Saving US Coal’ can perform the same function today as CEED did then in a virtual way.”28Fred Palmer. “Saving US Coal – A Path Forward to Preserve the Existing Coal Fleet,” Coalzoom.com, January 13, 2020. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ERIm8

Palmer envisions CO2 proponent Craig Idso taking a key role in the new group by promoting benefits of CO2:29Fred Palmer. “Saving US Coal – A Path Forward to Preserve the Existing Coal Fleet,” Coalzoom.com, January 13, 2020. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ERIm8

“Once filed at EPA, ‘Saving US Coal’ will engage virtually at the state level with regulators directly and through NARUC to educate on the benefits of CO2 to the biosphere and the human environment. At the same time Craig will develop additional, original research showing the truth of CO2 which will be distributed as generated to the regulators. By doing so, coal suppliers can then engage directly with the regulators with challenges to the announced closures; rep-opening previous announcements where the plants are still operating is not out of the question.”

He also makes recommendations on coal industry groups that could be encouraged to join the pro-coal coalition:30Fred Palmer. “Saving US Coal – A Path Forward to Preserve the Existing Coal Fleet,” Coalzoom.com, January 13, 2020. Archived January 14, 2020. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/ERIm8

“Today, there are groups sitting right in front of us and ready to go in coalition, I believe. These include:

Count on Coal through NMA

Friends of Coal in West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania

RMCMI in Colorado

The American Coal Council

The state coal associations, a very powerful and overlooked resource

Trade press”

Palmer first joined CoalZoom along with Craig Idso, in coordination with Bill Reid, in December 2019 to focus on the initiative with “the ultimate deliverable: repealing the EPA CO2 Endangerment Finding highlighting coal use as the vehicle and Champion that it is and will be.”31Saving US Coal – Watch This PowerPoint,” CoalZoom, December 16, 2019. Archive.ph URL: https://archive.ph/nQDEA

December 2, 2019

Two of the nation’s leading coal companies and CO2 emitters announced that they would be withdrawing from ACCCE in 2020. American Electric Power Co. and Southern Co., both of which have closed some of their smaller coal plants while pledging to reduce emissions, were the last two investor-owned utility companies supporting ACCCE.32Benjamin Storrow. “Under pressure, 2 utilities ditch pro-coal trade group,” E&E News, December 2, 2019. Archived December 2, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/UslGr 

In 2018, Southern Co. paid $50,000 in dues to ACCCE, while AEP paid $10,000. ACCCE’s budget has steadily declined from $45 million in 2009 to less than $6 million in 2017, as investors have pressured utility companies to reduce emissions.33Benjamin Storrow. “Under pressure, 2 utilities ditch pro-coal trade group,” E&E News, December 2, 2019. Archived December 2, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/UslGr

Following the announcement, a Southern Co. spokesperson told E&E News:34Benjamin Storrow. “Under pressure, 2 utilities ditch pro-coal trade group,” E&E News, December 2, 2019. Archived December 2, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/UslGr

“Southern Company recognizes the importance of climate change and is a leader in advancing low- to no-carbon solutions that provide clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to our customers and communities. Our strategy to achieve these goals includes the continued development and deployment of a diverse portfolio of energy resources to reliably and affordably serve our customers and communities with a focus on reducing CO2 emissions.”35Benjamin Storrow. “Under pressure, 2 utilities ditch pro-coal trade group,” E&E News, December 2, 2019. Archived December 2, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/UslGr

September 29, 2017

ACCCE applauded Rick Perry36David Koenig. “Administration favors change in electricity pricing,” SFGate, September 29, 2017. Archived October 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jm2ny for pushing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to speed the approval of a proposal which would reward coal and nuclear power for “resilience” they give to the power grid. ACCCE president Paul Bailey said the move “will finally value the on-site fuel security provided by the coal fleet.”37John Siciliano. “Rick Perry urges FERC protect coal, nuclear power plants,” The Washington Examiner, September 29, 2017. Archived September 30, 2017. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/qdPEl

Advocates for both natural gas and renewables were critical of Perry’s proposal:38David Koenig. “Administration favors change in electricity pricing,” SFGate, September 29, 2017. Archived October 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jm2ny

“We worry today’s proposal would upend competitive markets that save consumers billions of dollars a year,” said Amy Farrell, a senior vice president for American Wind Energy Association.39David Koenig. “Administration favors change in electricity pricing,” SFGate, September 29, 2017. Archived October 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jm2ny

Don Santa of the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America said the plan would favor “a very limited set of fuels and technologies.”40David Koenig. “Administration favors change in electricity pricing,” SFGate, September 29, 2017. Archived October 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jm2ny

ACCCE had commissioned a study in August that highlighted the “resiliency” of coal-fired power plants. The study, conducted by PA Consulting Group, concluded that “no single electricity resource has all of the attributes necessary for a reliable and resilient grid.”41Amanda Durish Cook. “Echoing DOE Report, Industry Study Touts Coal ‘Resiliency’,” RTO Insider, August 30, 2017. Archived October 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/1IJ3c

“This new report shows the coal fleet is essential to help maintain the reliability and resilience of the electricity grid,” said ACCCE CEO Paul Bailey. “For that reason, we are especially supportive of DOE’s recent recommendation that policymakers need to establish criteria to value attributes, such as on-site fuel, that help protect the grid against low probability events that have extreme consequences.”42Amanda Durish Cook. “Echoing DOE Report, Industry Study Touts Coal ‘Resiliency’,” RTO Insider, August 30, 2017. Archived October 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/1IJ3c

July 2017

ACCCE released a document on the “Myths about coal-fired power plants” including the following:43“Myths About Coal-Fired Power Plants” (PDF), ACCCE, July 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

  • “Myth … Coal-fired power plants are dirty
  • Myth … Coal-fired power plants do not use clean coal technology. 
  • Myth … Coal-fired power plants are retiring because of low natural gas prices.
  • Myth …The U.S. doesn’t need coal-fired power plants. 
  • Myth … Pollution from coal-fired power plants causes premature mortality.
  • Myth … ‘The Clean Power Plan … takes real action on climate change.’ [EPA Fact Sheet on the Clean Power Plan]”44“Myths About Coal-Fired Power Plants” (PDF), ACCCE, July 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

For the last myth listed, ACCCE cites a 2015 report by the notorious climate change denier Bjorn Lomborg for support, claiming that “the Clean Power Plan would have a trivial effect on climate change. For example, global average temperature increase — the driver for climate change — would be reduced by an insignificant 0.013 degree (less than 1/80th degree) Celsius by the year 2100. On the other hand, the Clean Power Plan could cost more than $20 billion per year.”45“Myths About Coal-Fired Power Plants” (PDF), ACCCE, July 2016. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

June 30, 2017

EPA administrator Scott Pruitt spoke at an ACCCE board meeting where he discussed his “red team-blue team46Emily Holden. “Pruitt will launch program to ‘critique’ climate science,” E&E News, June 30, 2017. Archived August 15, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/wyjPz strategy for challenging mainstream climate change science, The New York Times reported.47Brad Plumer and Coral Davenport. “E.P.A. to Give Dissenters a Voice on Climate, No Matter the Consensus,” The New York Times, June 30, 2017. Archived October 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/x3foH

Critics have said that Pruitt’s approach would undermine the role of academic research at the EPA.48Brad Plumer and Coral Davenport. “E.P.A. to Give Dissenters a Voice on Climate, No Matter the Consensus,” The New York Times, June 30, 2017. Archived October 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/x3foH

I think this is fundamentally a dumb idea,” Andrew Dessler, a professor of atmospheric science at Texas A&M University, told The New York Times in an email. “It’s like a red team-blue team exercise about whether gravity exists.”49Brad Plumer and Coral Davenport. “E.P.A. to Give Dissenters a Voice on Climate, No Matter the Consensus,” The New York Times, June 30, 2017. Archived October 3, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/x3foH

March 28, 2017

ACCCE released a statement commending Donald Trump for signing an Executive Order that would overturn the EPA‘s Clean Power Plan:50Michelle Bloodworth. “ACCCE Applauds President Trump’s Executive Order Halting EPA’s Clean Power Plan,” ACCCE, March 28, 2017. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/wzKk4

“ACCCE commends President Trump for withdrawing bad regulations that are hurting our economy. The Clean Power Plan is the poster child for regulations that are unnecessarily expensive and have no meaningful environmental benefit,” said Paul Bailey, President and CEO of ACCCE.  “We look forward to working with EPA Administrator Pruitt to develop sensible policies that protect the environment without shutting down more coal-fueled power plants, one of our most resilient and affordable sources of electricity.”51Michelle Bloodworth. “ACCCE Applauds President Trump’s Executive Order Halting EPA’s Clean Power Plan,” ACCCE, March 28, 2017. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/wzKk4

November, 2015

E&E News reported that ACCCE commissioned a study by National Economic Research Associates (NERA) Economic Consulting that predicted the Obama administration’s plans to reduce CO2 emissions from power plants would cost nearly $300 billion. [54]

NERA also produced the March 2017 report52Graham Readfearn. “Tobacco To Fossil Fuels: Tracing the Roots of Trump’s Claims on Paris Climate Deal,” DeSmog, June 1, 2017. President Donald Trump used as support for his decision to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement.53“Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Regulations On the Industrial Sector” (PDF)NERA Economic Consulting, March 2017.

August, 2015

ACCCE released a paper titled “Climate Effects of EPA’s Final Clean Power Plan.” The paper concluded that climate effects of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan are “meaningless.”54‘CLIMATE EFFECTS’ OF EPA’S FINAL CLEAN POWER PLAN” (PDF), American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity.

January, 2014

ACCCE released a study titled “The Social Costs of Carbon? No, the Social Benefits of Carbon!“ The Daily Caller reported that the study claimed “the benefits of carbonized fuel, like coal, to society are 50 to 500 times greater than the costs.”55“THE SOCIAL COSTS OF CARBON? NO, THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF” CARBON” (PDF), Management Information Services, Inc., January 2014. Retrieved from Amercaspower.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog. 56Michael Bastasch. “Report: The social benefits of fossil fuels outweigh the costs 50 to 1,” The Daily Caller, January 22, 2014. Archived August 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vEDrJ 

The study’s lead author, Roger Bezdek, said: 

Even the most conservative estimates peg the social benefit of carbon-based fuels as 50 times greater than its supposed social cost. And the benefits are actual fact; founded on more than two centuries of empirical data, not theoretical summaries based on questionable assumptions, dubious forecasts, and flawed models.”57Michael Bastasch. “Report: The social benefits of fossil fuels outweigh the costs 50 to 1,” The Daily Caller, January 22, 2014. Archived August 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/vEDrJ 

Bezdek has been a vocal opponent of greenhouse gas regulations. In 2015, he testified on behalf of Peabody Energy where he went on record to say “CO2 is not harmful and is actually good for the planet.”58Kevin Grandia. “Peabody Energy ‘Experts’ Sow Doubt About Reality of Climate Change,” DeSmog, August 25, 2015. He has also been a speaker at the Heartland Institute‘s International Conference on Climate Change.59ROGER BEZDEK,” Climateconference.heartland.org. Archived April 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/b08W6

November 13, 2013

ACCCE released the following statement on EPA regulations:60Statement on Manchin/Whitfield Legislation and House Energy and Power Subcommittee Hearing,” Americaspower.org, November 13, 2013. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Cplj4

ACCCE has long held that EPA regulations are not an effective way to address concerns about global climate change. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Representative Ed Whitfield (R-KY) continue to show that bipartisan leadership on this important issue is possible, even in the face of an Administration recklessly determined to phase out coal.

Senator Manchin’s and Representative Whitfield’s newly proposed legislation is an important step in halting EPA from shutting down our nation’s coal plants and preventing the construction of new ones, which won’t even have any meaningful impact on global climate change. Thankfully, Senator Manchin and Representative Whitfield recognize the serious threat to electric reliability if coal is taken offline, but also the real-life economic and social consequences seemingly neglected from EPA’s own analysis.

This new legislation and tomorrow’s House Energy and Power Subcommittee hearing show that both chambers are beginning to recognize the urgency of Congressional action that’s needed to stop EPA’s dangerous rulemaking.”

June, 2011

ACCCE released a report claiming that clean air rules proposed under the Obama administration would cost utilities $17.8 billion per year and raise electricity rates on average 11.5 percent in 2016. The report was conducted by National Economic Research Associates Inc. Bloomberg described the report as “part of a campaign to delay compliance deadlines in the pending rules.”61Jim Snyder. “Air Rules to Cost Almost $18 Billion a Year, Coal Group Says,” Bloomberg, June 8, 2011. Archived August 14, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/k37gL

March, 2011

ACCCE ran radio ads opposing the Clean Air Act, shortly before Congress would vote on the issue. The Hill reported that the ads, which ran during a congressional recess, stated:62Ben German. “Coal group presses senators on looming vote to kill EPA climate rules,” The Hill, March 25, 2011. Archived June 4, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/aft1l

You wouldn’t use a hammer to fix your computer. You don’t use a folding map if you have a GPS. The point is, we don’t use yesterday’s tools to solve today’s challenges. Yet the Environmental Protection Agency has started regulating greenhouse gas emissions under a 40-year-old law that doesn’t even mention the term ‘greenhouse gases.’ The result could be higher energy prices and lost jobs.”63Ben German. “Coal group presses senators on looming vote to kill EPA climate rules,” The Hill, March 25, 2011. Archived June 4, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/aft1l

They urge listeners to ask their senators to vote for the amendment, which The Hill notes mirrors Sen. James Inhofe’s (R-Okla.) legislation designed to block the EPA. The ads ran in Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and numerous other states.64Ben German. “Coal group presses senators on looming vote to kill EPA climate rules,” The Hill, March 25, 2011. Archived June 4, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/aft1l

2011—

ACCCE has been a regular sponsor of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) annual meetings since at least 2011. Examples have included:65American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity,” Energy and Policy Institute. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/KpEDc

  • Chairman” level sponsor, 2011 Annual Conference – $50,000
  • Chairman” level sponsor, 2013 Summer Meeting – $50,000
  • Chairman” level sponsor, 2013 Annual Conference – $50,000
  • Director” level sponsor, 2014 Annual Conference – $Unknown

October 29, 2009

ACCCE President and CEO Joe Miller testified before the House Energy Independence and Global Warming Committee about the forged letters sent by Bonner & Associates. During his testimony, Miller claimed that his organization had never opposed the Waxman-Markey Climate bill. View video below, pulled by Media Matters and reported on by HuffPost:66Arthur Delaney. “Pro-Coal Lobby Boss Claims Never To Have Opposed Climate Change Bill (VIDEO),” HuffPost, March 18, 2010. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/1p2f2

Note that, in a June 2009 press release, ACCCE had issued the following statement:“67ACCCE Statement in Regards to the Passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act,” America’s Power, June 26, 2009. Archived July 16, 2010. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/H2FUQ

“ACCCE cannot support this bill, as it is written, because the legislation still does not adequately protect consumers and the domestic economy or ensure that the American people can continue to enjoy the benefits of affordable, reliable electricity, which has been so important to our nation.”

October 2009

Released a study titled “Benefits of Investments in Clean Coal Technology.” The study concluded:68“BENEFITS OF INVESTMENTS IN CLEAN COAL TECHNOLOGY,” (PDF), Management Information Services, Inc. Washington, D.C. Retrieved from Americaspower.org. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

  • “Benefits over the 20-year period total $111 billion (2008 dollars)
  • The benefits in individual categories range from $15 billion in fuel cost  savings to $39 billion for capital and technology cost savings in new and existing plants
  • Total jobs created total 1.2 million, with an annual average of about 60,000 jobs created”

August 6, 2009

Despite investigation of a Hawthorn Group subcontractor for sending fraudulent letters to members of Congress, ACCCE proceeded to re-hire the firm for a $1 million campaign to gain support with Senate Democrats, The New York Times reported.69Anne C. Mulkern. “’Citizen Army’ Carries Coal’s Climate Message to Hinterlands,” The New York Times, August 6, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/hwVLw

“While the issue involving these falsified letters is a very serious matter, an outrageous matter, it still remains to be an isolated incident,” said Joe Lucas, an ACCCE spokesman. “We’re not going to throw the baby out with the bath water here.”70Anne C. Mulkern. “’Citizen Army’ Carries Coal’s Climate Message to Hinterlands,” The New York Times, August 6, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/hwVLw

The new project would use 225,000 volunteers dubbed “America’s Power Army” to visit functions attended by members of Congress and ask questions about energy policy.71Anne C. Mulkern. “’Citizen Army’ Carries Coal’s Climate Message to Hinterlands,” The New York Times, August 6, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/hwVLw

August 2009

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity was under investigation for letters sent by Bonner & Associates, a subcontractor of the coalition that had sent letters to members of Congress regarding climate legislation. Markey announced his investigation of ACCCE, with a hearing scheduled for October, 2009.72UPDATE: Select Committee to Hold Hearing on Fraudulent Letters Sent to Congress,” The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming. Archived December 3, 2009. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/pVI3r

ACCCE dropped Bonner & Associates as a result of the scandal:73Brendan DeMelle. “ACCCE Coal Lobby Drops Bonner & Associates Over Forged Letters,” DeSmog, August 21, 2009.

“We will not be working with Mr. Bonner again,” Joe Lucas, senior vice president for communications at ACCCE, told NationalJournal.com. “ACCCE did nothing wrong. Looking back, there would be many things we would do differently.”74Amy Harder. “ACCCE Will No Longer Work With Bonner,” National Journal, August 21, 2009. Archived August 26, 2009. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/o4nGR

View DeSmog reporting on the forged letters:

According to The New York Times, at least 12 of the letters were fraudulent, purporting to be from groups opposed to the Waxman-Markey climate bill. ACCCE placed the blame on one Bonner & Associates employee. At least 199 letters and over 4,000 phone calls opposing the climate bill were made as the result of work by Bonner & Associates and Lincoln Strategies LLC—both Hawthorn Group subcontractors.75Anne C. Mulkern and Alex Kaplun. “Markey Expands ACCCE Investigation From Forged Letters to Lobbying Disclosures,” The New York Times, October 26, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QXYt2

The Wall Street Journal reported he letters had purported to represent elderly service organizations and seniors centers when, in fact, an aide to Mr. Markey said in an interview, the letters were forgeries.76Stephen Power. “You’ve got (bogus) mail,” The Wall Street Journal, August 18, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EBde3

We’ve seen fear-mongering with our nation’s senior citizens with health care, and now we’re seeing fraud-mongering with senior citizens on clean energy,” Edward Markey, chairman of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, said in a written statement. “We must return to an honest discussion of the issues, and ensure that this sort of campaign does not further poison the well of trustworthy debate.”77Stephen Power. “You’ve got (bogus) mail,” The Wall Street Journal, August 18, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EBde3

A memo listing “Talking points for ACCCE” was distributed to temporary employees. “Crucially, the talking points specifically instructed employees to lie to the community organizations they were calling, telling them they were working with seniors/veterans groups and that other seniors/veterans groups had written the letter they would be signing. They were in fact working directly for a coal industry front group, and the letter was written by Bonner and associates,” Enviroknow reported.78Bonner Talking Points Instructed Employees to Lie to Generate Letters to Congress,” Enviroknow, August 28, 2009. Archived September 3, 2009. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/gnwGt

View PDF copies of the letters below, courtesy of EnviroKnow:

Perriello:

Dahlkemper:

Carney:

December 2008

As reported at ThinkProgress, ACCCE released a campaign through the holidays promoting clean coal.79Ryan Powers. “‘Frosty the Coalman’: King Coal Launches Holiday-Themed Greenwashing Campaign,” ThinkProgress, December 10, 2008. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Npvpv The “Clean Coal Carolers” described coal as “clean,” “affordable,” and “adorable.”80Carolers,” Americaspower.org. Archived December 11, 2008. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/6t8Gl

An excerpt from “Frosty the Coalman”:

“Frosty the Coal Man, is a jolly happy soul.
He’s abundant here in America and he helps our economy roll.
Frosty the Coal Man, is getting cleaner every day. 
He’s affordable and adorable and helps workers keep their pay.
There must have been some magic in clean coal technology,
For when they looked for pollutants there was nearly none to see.”

Video of the original animations, via TreeHugger, below:

April 17, 2008

Stephen Miller, ACCCE‘s president, was interviewed by E&ETV/OnPoint.81Page van der Linden. “Same Front Group, Different Day,” DeSmog, April 21, 2008. View a transcript here. Key points included:82New coalition touts clean coal in primary states, supports emissions reduction legislation,” OnPoint, April 17, 2008. Archived May 24, 2008. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/m1xX6

  • If we push too hard, too fast, we will force fuel switching away from coal.”
  • The president and the congress have a role to play to make sure the public sector invests in coal-fired power.”
  • We’ve spent a lot of money on t-shirts, trucks, and advertising to affect the primary campaign, and it’s working.

2008

As covered by Greenpeace investigations, ACCCE spent over $35 million in 2008 on a major public relations campaign on “clean coal” during the Presidential race. The campaign included the mobilization of over 150,000 supporters, who they called their “civilian army” as well as a print ad campaign. ACCCE also paid CNN $5 million to be a major co-sponsor of six presidential debates.83American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricit Greenwashing Dirty Coal,” Greenpeace, September 11, 2008.

Websites

Members

The following members of ACCCE have been listed on the ACCCE/America’s Power website, year over year:

Member200820092010201120122013201720182019
ALCOAY        
Allegheny Energy, Inc.YYY      
Alliance Coal, LLCYYYYYYY  
Alliance Resource Partners. L.P.       YY
Alpha Natural Resources YYYYY   
Alstom Power*Y        
AMEREN CorporationYYYYYY   
American Electric PowerYYYYYYYY 
Arch Coal, Inc.YYYYYY   
Arkansas Electric Cooperative CorporationYYYYYY   
Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc.YY    YYY
Basin Electric Power CooperativeYYYYYY   
Berwind Natural Resources CorporationYYYYYYYYY
BHP BillitonY        
Big Rivers Electric Corporation       YY
BNSF RailwayYYYYYYYYY
Buckeye Industrial Mining Co.YYY      
Buckeye Power, Inc.YYYYYYYYY
BUCYRUS  Y      
Bucyrus International, Inc.YY       
Carbon Utilization Research Council (CURC)      YYY
Caterpillar IncorporatedYYYYYYYYY
Charah, Inc.    YYYY 
CONSOL Energy Inc.YYYYYY  Y
Consumers EnergyYYYY     
Crounse Corporation YYYYYYYY
CSX CorporationYYYYYYY Y
Drummond Company, IncorporatedYYYYYYYYY
DTE Energy (Detroit Edison)YYYYYY   
Duke Energy Corporation*Y        
E.ON U.S.YYYY     
Express Marine, IncorporatedY        
First Energy CorporationY  YY    
Foundation Coal Corp.Y        
Freightcar America, Inc.YY       
GE Energy YYY     
General Electric Capital CorporationY        
GMS Mine Repair & Maintenance       YY
Indiana Coal Council        Y
Inez Deposit Bank       Y 
International Coal Group YY      
Jackson Walker LLP      Y  
Jennmar CorporationYYYYYY YY
John T. Boyd Company      YYY
Joy Global MiningYYYYYY   
Kentucky Coal Association       YY
Kentucky River Coal Corporation      Y  
Kentucky River Properties, LLC       YY
Komatsu Mining Corporation      YYY
LG&E KU PPL companies    YY   
LuminantYYYYY    
Martin Engineering    Y    
Midwest GenerationYY       
Mirant CorporationYY       
Murray Energy CorporationYYYYYYYYY
Natural Resource Partners L.P.YYYYYYYYY
Norfolk Southern CorporationYYYYYYYYY
OG&E Energy Corp.Y        
Oglethorpe Power CorporationYYYYYYYYY
Ohio CAT      Y  
Peabody Energy CorporationYYYYYYYYY
PowerSouth Energy Cooperative      YYY
Prairie State Generating Company, LLC  YYYYYYY
Progress Energy, IncorporatedYY       
Rosebud Mining Company       YY
Seminole Electric CooperativeY        
SEP Corporation (Sunflower Electric)YYYYYY   
Southern CompanyYYYYYYYY 
Tenaska, Inc.  YYY    
Trapper Mining      Y  
Tri-state Generation & Transmission Assn. Inc.YYYYYY   
Union Pacific RailroadYYYYYYYYY
Western Farmers Electric CooperativeY        
Western Fuels AssociationYYYYYYYYY
White Stallion Energy       Y 

*In 2009, both Duke Energy and Alstom Power left ACCCE,84Anne C. Mulkern. “Another Company Leaves ‘Mixed Messaging’ Coal Alliance,” The New York Times, September 9, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/f23SQ citing concerns about the Alliance’s opposition to the Waxman-Markey Climate Bill.85Brad Johnson. “Duke Energy Quits Scandal-Ridden American Coalition For Clean Coal Electricity,” ThinkProgress, September 2, 2009. Archived August 2, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/mYojA

PR Firms

ACCE has retained a range of PR firms to spread its message, including Bonner & Associates, which was caught sending at least a dozen forged letters to Congress members urging them to vote against clean energy and climate legislation.86Brendan DeMelle. “ACCCE Hires New PR Firm With Bush Ties To Push Coal,” DeSmog, February 5, 2010.

Bonner & Associates

In her book, Global Spin, author Sharon Beder noted that past Bonner clients have included tobacco companies Philip Morris and U.S. Tobacco Co.; the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association; the utility trade group Edison Electric Institute; military contractor McDonnell Douglas; nuclear industry and military services giant Westinghouse; chemical companies Monsanto and Dow Chemical; and the major Detroit auto companies Chrysler, Ford and General Motors (who hired Bonner to help derail Congressional efforts to raise fuel efficiency standards back in the 1990s).87Brendan DeMelle. “ACCCE Hires New PR Firm With Bush Ties To Push Coal,” DeSmog, February 5, 2010.

Bonner has referred to his own firm as a “white collar sweatshop,” run largely by temporary employees and interns paid low hourly wages.88Zachary Roth. “Behind The Forged Letters: Jack Bonner’s ‘White-Collar Sweatshop’,” TalkingPointsMemo, August 4, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/zeJif

Hawthorn Group

The New York Times reported that ACCCE paid more than $7 million in 2008 and nearly $3 million in the first half of 2009 to Hawthorn Group towards work designed to influence U.S. climate legislation.89Anne C. Mulkern and Alex Kaplun. “Markey Expands ACCCE Investigation From Forged Letters to Lobbying Disclosures,” The New York Times, October 26, 2009. Archived August 1, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QXYt2

In a December, 2008 newsletter “To Hawthorn Friends & Family,” the group outlined some of the work it had done for ACCCE.90To Hawthorn Friends & Family—” Hawthorn Group, December, 2008. Archived July 11, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/EeDqt

“This campaign was focused in key states during the 2008 primary and general election campaign. Our challenge was to get the candidates, media, and opinion ‘influencers’ to start talking about the importance of American coal to our energy future and the need to fund clean coal technology,” the newsletter said. “Building on our existing 200,000-strong grassroots citizen army, we leveraged the presidential candidates’ own supporters, finding advocates for clean coal among the crowd to carry our message. “

HDMK

Replacing Bonner and Associates, ACCCE hired two groups including HDMK,91Brendan DeMelle. “ACCCE Hires New PR Firm With Bush Ties To Push Coal,” DeSmog, February 5, 2010. a public relations firm that National Journal reported had strong ties to  former President George W. Bush and the Republican Party.92Peter H. Stone. “Coal’s New PR Mouthpieces,” National Journal, February 3, 2010. Archived November 20, 2011. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/ctQeX

HDMK is run by Terry Holt, the national campaign spokesperson for George W. Bush in the 2004 election and the former spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner.  Other HDMK partners include Trent Duffy, a former deputy press secretary to President George W. Bush, Jim Morrell, former deputy chief of staff to the House Republican Conference and a speechwriter for former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-IL), and Chad Kolton, another long-time Republican communications operative who served in the Bush administration as press secretary at the OMB and FEMA.93Brendan DeMelle. “ACCCE Hires New PR Firm With Bush Ties To Push Coal,” DeSmog, February 5, 2010.

Howard Consulting Group

Dan Ronayne, a managing director of the Howard Consulting Group, was retained to work with regional reporters alongside HDMK.94Brendan DeMelle. “ACCCE Hires New PR Firm With Bush Ties To Push Coal,” DeSmog, February 5, 2010.

R&R Partners

R&R Partners did significant work for ACCCE, including the development of ACCCE‘s $400,000 (now-defunct) website, CleanCoalUSA.org.95Kevin Grandia. “Ad firm touts its ‘clean coal’ persuasion work,” DeSmog, June 1, 2009. An R&R Partners Case Study described their strategy as follows:96American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity,” R&R Partners. Archived June 19, 2009. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/NR8cJ

R&R and ACCCE created a fully integrated marketing, branding and issue-advocacy campaign to educate our audiences on the importance of coal in their daily lives. Our strategy was to convince our audiences that through the use of modern technology, coal is cleaner than ever and getting cleaner still, and present coal as a vital component in our march toward energy independence.

The ACCCE campaign focused primarily around a fully integrated marketing approach that used the presidential campaign as a platform for our messaging, resulting in highly visible and well-publicized campaign tactics throughout the year. Outreach consisted of grassroots, earned media, paid media and advocacy tactics that created a ‘surround-sound’ effect targeting each of our audiences through all mediums and communications. Grassroots efforts included street teams, walking billboards, mobile billboards and recruitment and mobilization of an ACCCE Army (supporters of ACCCE and its mission) at presidential primaries, debates, conventions and other key campaign events. Earned media efforts included maintaining ongoing media relations and generating consistent press coverage of ACCCE-related issues and successes. A national television campaign focusing on the ACCCE core-message strategy – along with state and issue-specific campaigns that included news and magazine print, outdoor billboards, and radio and online components – comprised the paid media efforts that supported the overall campaign strategy.”

In an article responding to DeSmog/HuffPost’s reporting, ACCCE noted that the website CleanCoalUSA.org was originally a project of a now-defunct group called the Coal-Based Generation Stakeholders (CBGS), and “While CBGS had many of the same members as ACCCE has today, the membership list was not identical.”97Behind the Plug,” Americaspower.org. Archived June 8, 2009. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/DItG3

Contact & Address

ACCCE listed the following contact information on its website, as of December 2018:98Contact us,” ACCCE. Archived December 12, 2018. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/3FVsT

ACCCE
1069 West Broad Street, Suite 913
Falls Church, VA 22046

202-459-4800

[email protected]

Social Media

Other Resources

Resources

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