NERA Economic Consulting

NERA Economic Consulting Background National Economic Research Associates (NERA) Economic Consulting was co-founded on April 10, 1961 by the late Jules Joskow and by Irwin M. Stelzer, senior fellow and director of the right-wing Hudson Institute’s Center for Economic Policy. In 2004, Stelzer was described as “right-hand man of Rupert Murdoch,” the CEO of News Corp., which owns Fox News. […]

Your Energy America

Your Energy America (YEA) Background Your Energy America (YEA) is a front group created in May 2017 by the American Gas Association (AGA) to promote natural gas use and undermine environmental advocacy campaigns against new natural gas pipelines and infrastructure.1 “About Us,” Your Energy. Accessed June 13, 2017. 2 “About Us,” American Gas Association. Archived […]

Ryan Zinke

Ryan Zinke Credentials Background Ryan Zinke was the 52nd Secretary of the Interior of the United States, nominated by Donald Trump and sworn in on March 1, 2017. Zinke announced his resignation on December 15, 2018, and would leave the administration at the end of the year.1“Secretary Ryan Zinke,” U.S. Department of the Interior. Archived […]

Fred L. Smith, Jr.

Fred L. Smith, Jr. (Deceased) Credentials Background Fred L. Smith was the founder of the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI). He served as CEI’s President from 1984 until 2013, later working as the Director of CEI’s Center for Advancing Capitalism. He passed […]

Betsy DeVos

Elisabeth Dee “Betsy” DeVos Credentials Background Betsy DeVos is the 11th United States Secretary of Education, appointed under President Donald J. Trump. DeVos was nominated for the position on November 23, 2016.1Emma Brown. “Trump picks billionaire Betsy DeVos, school voucher advocate, as education secretary,” The Washington Post, November 23, 2016. Archived May 15, 2017. Archive.is […]

Edison Electric Institute

Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Background The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the trade association of U.S. electric utility companies, founded in 1933. The association operates in 50 states and the District of Columbia and also holds a number of international members. In 2013, EEI described itself as representing approximately […]

Alex Jones

Alex Jones Credentials Background Alex Jones hosts The Alex Jones Show, a nationally syndicated talk show, as well as the website Infowars. Jones has been described as “the most prolific conspiracy theorist in contemporary America” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit which tracks hate groups. Rolling Stone magazine has described him as “the […]

Bret Stephens

Bret Stephens Credentials Background Bret Stephens is a conservative opinion columnist at The New York Times. Stephens is the former writer of the “Global View” column on foreign affairs at The […]

Gale Klappa

Gale E. Klappa Credentials Background Gale Klappa is formerly the Executive Chairman and CEO of WEC Energy Group and currently its the Non-executive Chairman. The company is a major electricity generator, mainly utilising coal and gas. According to his profile at WEC Energy, he retired from his role as CEO in May, 2016. Milwaukee Business […]

Information Council for the Environment

Information Council for the Environment (ICE) Background The now-defunct Information Council for the Environment (ICE) was a program proposed by a coalition of U.S. coal companies including the Western Fuels Association and Southern Company, joined by the Edison Electric Institute.1“Distorting the Debate: A Case Study of Corporate Greenwashing,” Ozone Action, 1996. Retrieved from Greenpeace research […]