Wake up and smell the fossil fuel funding. That’s right, it’s that time of year again: the Heartland Institute is hosting its Sixth (annual?*) International Conference on Climate Change over the next two days in Washington D.C.

DeSmogBlog already revealed some of the oily sponsors behind the event. Now it’s time to take a look at the so-called scientists Heartland has rounded up to accomplish this year’s theme of “Restoring the Scientific Method.”   

As in past years, Heartland’s speakers list is dominated by economists, engineers, TV weathermen, and representatives from right wing think-tanks. DeSmogBlog has researched the speakers at this year’s event: 

• Tim Ball – Ph.D In Geography. 
• Joseph Bast – Studied Economics (did not complete degree).
• Bob Carter – Ph.D in palaeontology and holds a B.Sc in geology.
• Paul Chesser – Opinion writer, accountant. 
• Tom Harris – B. Eng, M. Eng.
• Christopher Horner – Lawyer. 
• Patrick J. Michaels – S.M. Biology.
• Marc Morano – Think Tank Blogger. 
• S. Fred Singer – B.E.E. (Electrical Engineering), A.M. and Ph.D.(Physics).
• Harrison Schmitt – Ph.D. in geology.
• Willie Soon – Ph.D. in aerospace engineering.
• Roy Spencer – Ph.D. in meteorology. “Scientific Advisor” to the ISA. 

DeSmogBlog also added new names to the disinformation database this year (some long overdue):

• Anthony Watts – Electrical Engineer, former TV Weatherman.
• Craig Idso – Ph.D in Geography. 
• Alan Carlin – Ph.D in Economics, B.S. in Physics. 
• James Inhofe – B.A. in Economics.**
• Robert Mendelsohn – Ph.D in Economics.
• James Taylor – B.A. 
• David Tuerck – Ph.D in Economics.
• Steve Goreham – M.S. in Electrical Engineering, MBA.
• Barry Brill – New Zealand barrister and solicitor.
• Ken Haapala – MS, Economics. 
• John Nothdurft – B.A., Political Science.
• Nicola Scafetta – Ph.D, Physics. 
• Larry Bell – Architect. 
• David Schnare – Ph.D Environmental Management. JD, George Mason University.

Scott Denning, who also spoke at last year’s Heartland Conference, is notably absent from this list. The reason being that Denning actually acknowledges man-made global warming (see his presentation at last year’s conference). Denning is a professor of atmospheric science at Colorado State University, and appears to be one of a small handful of legitimate climate scientists in the crowd. 

Why then, you might ask, has the Heartland Institute not only invited Denning back this year, but also featured him prominently on the ICCC6 home page? Apparently Heartland actually scheduled a debate between Denning and Roy Spencer. 

Whether he recognizes it or not, Denning serves as a false stamp of legitimacy for this non-scientific conference.

Brian Angliss over at Scholars & Rogues has more to say about the dearth of actual climate scientists attending Denial-a-Palooza this year.

*This will be Heartland’s sixth conference in the past four years: the first was in March 2008, the second in March 2009, third in June 2009, fourth in May 2010, fifth in October 2010, and now the sixth in June 2011.

** Senator James Inhofe, who was set to be the opening key note speaker, sent his regrets this morning claiming he is “under the weather.”  Perhaps he was referring to the brutal drought conditions affecting his constituents back in Oklahoma, as Joe Romm from ClimateProgress postulates.