DeSmog

Power the Future

Power the Future

Background

Power the Future is an energy advocacy organization with a “mission of offering truth, facts, and research that will enrich the national conversation on energy.”1About Power The Future,” PowertheFuture. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/p8s1C

Power the Future was launched in February 2018 by Daniel Turner, a former Republican communications staffer and alumni of the Charles Koch Institute. Turner also worked for Generation Opportunity, a non-profit 501(c)(4) organization that is funded by Freedom Partners, a multimillion dollar Koch-tied funding vehicle.2A Welcome Message from our Executive Director,” Power the Future, February 2018. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/3OMQj

Power the Future is a 501(c)(4) non-profit, meaning that donations are not tax deductible, but donors’ identities are not disclosed.3What is a 501(c)(4), anyway?The Washington Post, May 13, 2013. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/LjQe5

Turner told E&E News that the “focus of the group is on ‘telling the story of the men and women in the energy space … which has been villainized by the environmental left.’”4Sam Mintz. “Conservative energy group gears up to fight enviros,” E&E News, March 5, 2018.

Turner also declared that he has raised “several million dollars in seed money” for Power the Future from donors that “care deeply about the energy industry from a national perspective, and they care about the activism of these well-organized, ridiculously well-funded groups and the damage they do to our national conversation.”5Sam Mintz. “Conservative energy group gears up to fight enviros,” E&E News, March 5, 2018.

Stance on Climate Change

As of April 2018, Power the Future does not have an official statement or stance on climate change. The only mention of “climate change” on the Power the Future website is in a blog post titled ”Climate Change Rhetoric: Up in Smoke.” In the post, Turner tells climate change campaigners that if they “are so anti-energy, don’t use it.”6Climate Change Rhetoric: Up in Smoke,” Power the Future, April 2018. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/y7nKt

Notably, the Steyerville website does not include any mention of “climate change” or “global warming.”

Funding

As a 501(c)(4), Power the Future is not required to disclose its funders.

Daniel Turner told E&E News he had raised “several million dollars” in seed funding from donors that “care deeply about the energy industry from a national perspective, and they care about the activism of these well-organized, ridiculously well-funded groups and the damage they do to our national conversation.”7Sam Mintz. “Conservative energy group gears up to fight enviros,” E&E News, March 5, 2018.

Turner would not identify individual donors or comment on whether the Kochs were among them.8Sam Mintz. “Conservative energy group gears up to fight enviros,” E&E News, March 5, 2018.

990 Forms

Key People

According to his LinkedIn Profile, Daniel Turner’s specialty is in “public relations and story telling.” Before becoming executive director of Power the Future in December 2017, Turner’s positions included working as director of strategic communications at the Charles Koch Institute. Before that, he was VP of communications for Generation Opportunity, a nonprofit described as a “Koch-tied funding vehicle.”10Daniel Turner,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 29, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Earlier in his career, Turner worked as Director of Public affairs for a Romney Transition Team in the event that he had won. “HAD Romney won… we had the most comprehensive, exhaustive and far reaching public affairs strategy,” Turner wrote. Other political positions included Network and CAble Liason Director for the 2012 Republican National Convention, a position as Advisor for his uncle Bob Turner’s run for congress, and a period working in the Bush Administration’s Department of State from 2007 to 2009.11Daniel Turner,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 29, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Rick Whitbeck joined Power the future in December 2018. He has worked as the field director for Stand for Alaska, a group opposing the Ballot 1 Measure designed to protect salmon habitat in the state.13Vote No on 1,” Standforak.com. Archived January 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/qFXI3

Whitbeck was a founding partner of Pinnacle Group Alaska, a group described as “a full-service campaign advice” organization. Whitbeck’s LinkedIn summary of the group adds: “We only work with Conservative and right-of-center candidates and causes.” Prior to that, he held roles with Alaska Communications and GCI General Communication.14Rick Whitbeck,” LinkedIn. Accessed January 29, 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

  • Bradley Crate — Director, according to 2017 990 filing.
  • Charles Gantt — Treasurer, according to 2017 990 filing.

According to LinkedIn, Charles Gantt is the senior vice president of Red Curve Solutions. He previously worked as senior financial analyst for Romney’s presidential campaign ending December 2012.15Bulldog Compliance homepage. Archived November 6, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.ph/Cioma Red Curve Solutions runs a division called Bulldog Compliance, which describes itself as providing “treasury, budgeting, and FEC compliance services for political action committees (PACs) and other fundraising-driven organizations.”16Charles Gantt, CFA,” LinkedIn. Accessed June 23, 2020. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Power the Future lists Bulldog Compliance on its “Terms of Service” page.17Privacy and Terms of Service,” Power the Future. Archived November 6, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3s7Ao  Red Curve Solutions reportedly played a large role in Donald Trump’s campaign for president.18Paul Leighton. “Local company assists Trump,” The Salem News, November 4, 2016. Archived November 6, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.ph/PSKYh The group served as treasurer for the Trump campaign, and for two Trump fundraising committees.19Statement of Organization FILING FEC-1075964Federal Election Commission. Accessed November 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Actions

November 2023

Power the Future was among those mentioned by Media Matters as making misleading claims about renewable energy following the cancellation of two major wind projects of the coast of New Jersey.21Ilana Berger. “Right-wing figures are using the cancellation of two offshore wind projects to make misleading claims about renewable energy,” Media Matters for America, November 14, 2023. Archived February 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/i4VSy

Daniel Turner called offshore wind projects “green dreams” in a statement to Fox News. “Wind power receives billions in taxpayer support, yet we see project after project failing,” Turner claimed, adding, “In this case, it’s the people of New Jersey left holding the bag.”22Thomas Catenacci. “Developer axes 2 major offshore wind projects in blow to Biden’s green energy goals,” Fox News, November 1, 2023. Archived February 29, 2024. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/6oKtv

February 9, 2022

Larry Behrens, communications director for Power the Future, issued a statement following a meeting of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission discussing threats of summer power outages:23Regulators Scramble Over New Mexico’s Man-Made Energy Problems,” The Grant County Beat, February 9, 2022. Archived August 24, 2022. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/oVZxx

“Blackouts are a real threat this summer and this man-made energy problem was 100 percent avoidable, but leaders in Santa Fe decided to sacrifice affordable and reliable power. The solution is simple: Let the hardworking men and women of New Mexico produce our energy indefinitely. Those who caused this problem must stop deflecting the blame on supply-chain issues. After all, it was their decision to sacrifice local energy sources in favor of unreliable materials produced on the other side of the world,” Behrens said.

November 18, 2020

Power the Future’s Alaska state director Rick Whitbeck wrote a commentary article at the Alaska Journal of Commerce urging the incoming Biden administration to “champion — not vilify” four natural resource projects: The Pebble Mine, a proposed copper mine in Southwest Alaska; The Ambler mining district, which contains “a list of strategic minerals and rare earth elements”; oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), potentially a “jewel” in “the crown of U.S. energy production”; and logging in The Tongass, where “A recent record of decision allows for a repeal of the Roadless Rule,’” that would allow road construction and timber harvests in the region.24Rick Whitbeck. “GUEST COMMENTARY: Four Alaska projects with fate tied to a Biden administration,” Alaska Journal of Commerce, November 18, 2020. Archived November 23, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/pragx

May 26, 2020

An investigation at ProgressNow New Mexico dug deeper into who is behind Power the Future, and highlighted the affiliations of Charles Gantt and Bradley Crate—both who have connections to Donald Trump. Gant was the chief financial officer for Trump for America, a Super PAC that eventually moved to Massachusetts where it “literally worked to hire staff for Trump’s transition team and White House.”25Privacy and Terms of Service,” Power the Future. Archived November 6, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3s7Ao

Gant’s also owns Bulldog Compliance, a company listed on Power the Future’s “Terms of Service” page. Bulldog is part of a part of the larger company Red Curve Solutions. Bradley Crate, the president of Red Curve Solutions, serves as Donald Trump’s campaign treasurer. According to Power the Future’s public 2017 tax filings, Gant is the group’s treasurer, while Crate is listed as a director. In addition to Power the Future, Charles Gantt is behind Citizens for a United New Mexico PAC which has spent tens of thousands of dollars backing republican candidates in the state.26Lucas Herndon. “Uncovering the truth: Who’s really behind Power The Future, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association, and the Big Oil money driving New Mexico politics,” ProgressNow New Mexico, May 26, 2020. Archived June 8. 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/2VvDz 27Privacy and Terms of Service,” Power the Future. Archived November 6, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3s7Ao

April 14, 2020

 Daniel Turner wrote an article at Real Clear Energy suggesting Bernie Sanders’ plan to increase the role of green energy as “discriminatory (and dare I say it? Can I say it? Racist).”28Bernie Sanders’ Green Energy Poverty,” Real Clear Energy, April 14, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/IO4vM

“Going green costs people a lot of money, and it targets underprivileged communities most of all,” Turner claimed. He concluded: “Bernie’s campaign is done. His terrible, expensive, even deadly ideas live on. And we as a nation are no better for it.”

September 19, 2019

ProgressNow New Mexico obtained a PowerPoint presentation from 2018 prepared by the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. The slideshow includes a slide with Daniel Turner’s name and Power the Future, suggesting he may have delivered part of the presentation. ProgressNow suggests that the presentation may show “NMOGA planned and has continued to collaborate directly with out-of-state lobbying group, Power the Future.”29Lucas Herndon. “New Mexico Oil and Gas Association and Power the Future: Working together? CONFIRMED!ProgressNow New Mexico, September 19, 2019. Archived June 8, 2020. Archive URL: https://archive.vn/OnqSc

July 30, 2019

Power the Future collaborated on a report issued by the Competitive Enterprise Institute authored by Kent Lassman and Daniel Turner. The report presented a speculative economic assessment of the proposed Green New Deal, posing the question:30Kent Lassman, Daniel Turner. “What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, July 30, 2019. Archived July 30, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/Sg62w. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

What would it actually mean to implement significant portions of proposal?” (sic)31Kent Lassman, Daniel Turner. “What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, July 30, 2019. Archived July 30, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/Sg62w. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

According to Lassman and Turner, their report “requires a considerable number of assumptions” and relied in part on data compiled by the American Enterprise Institute. The report’s introduction predicted a “steep economic depression” based on calculations of average household cost increases from the implementation of the GND.32Kent Lassman, Daniel Turner. “What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, July 30, 2019. Archived July 30, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/Sg62w. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

In concluding, Lassman and Turner admitted that their analysis contained a wide variance in data but suggested that it was a “mark of humility.” Their final word on the matter was that:33Kent Lassman, Daniel Turner. “What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, July 30, 2019. Archived July 30, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/Sg62w. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

the Green New Deal is an unserious proposal that is at best negligent in its anticipation of transition costs and at worst is a politically motivated policy whose creativity is outweighed by its enormous potential for economic destruction.”34Kent Lassman, Daniel Turner. “What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, July 30, 2019. Archived July 30, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/Sg62w. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

The authors did not comment on the science of climate change or the consensus perspective of its present and future impacts.35Kent Lassman, Daniel Turner. “What the Green New Deal Could Cost a Typical Household,” Competitive Enterprise Institute, July 30, 2019. Archived July 30, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/Sg62w. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

January 28, 2019

Power the Future’s Alaska state director Rick Whitbeck wrote an op-ed in Anchorage Daily News advocating expanding resource development in areas of The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and other areas.36Rick Whitbeck. “Alaska’s energy future is bright — so long as environmentalists don’t derail it,” Anchorage Daily News, January 28, 2019. Archived January 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/7VOZF

“Alaska has much to look forward to with regard to its energy potential: The Donlin and Pebble mines. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Other outer continental shelf lease areas. Cook Inlet. If we utilize these areas’ resources to grow the economy, a stronger, more prosperous Alaska is in sight,” Whitbeck wrote.37Rick Whitbeck. “Alaska’s energy future is bright — so long as environmentalists don’t derail it,” Anchorage Daily News, January 28, 2019. Archived January 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/7VOZF

He went on to chastise environmental groups for opposing projects in such environmentally sensitive areas of Alaska.38Rick Whitbeck. “Alaska’s energy future is bright — so long as environmentalists don’t derail it,” Anchorage Daily News, January 28, 2019. Archived January 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/7VOZF

“But there’s one something that can derail this progress – over-zealous, short-sighted, Outside groups that claim to speak for Alaska and its people, but whose mission statements don’t align with reality,” he wrote.39Rick Whitbeck. “Alaska’s energy future is bright — so long as environmentalists don’t derail it,” Anchorage Daily News, January 28, 2019. Archived January 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/7VOZF

“The environmental movement wants to stop these projects in their tracks and stifle Alaska’s economy. Known for pushing the defeated ‘Stand for Salmon’ ballot measure, anti-development legislation and meaningless protests against all things associated with the oil, gas, mining and timber industries, these environmental groups are willing to use every stall tactic to get their way.”40Rick Whitbeck. “Alaska’s energy future is bright — so long as environmentalists don’t derail it,” Anchorage Daily News, January 28, 2019. Archived January 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/7VOZF

He concludes that Power the Future will fight against “the groups that want to dim Alaska’s bright future” and for energy development projects in the state.41Rick Whitbeck. “Alaska’s energy future is bright — so long as environmentalists don’t derail it,” Anchorage Daily News, January 28, 2019. Archived January 29, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/7VOZF

April 2018

Power the Future launched the website Steyerville, promising to “to highlight the damage Tom Steyer is doing to rural America.”42What Is Steyerville?Steyerville. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/dVEY9

“Steyerville is a real place in the American heartland: a rural community where multiple generations of men and women worked in the same industry: energy. Coal miners in Appalachia or Navajo Natives in New Mexico. Oil workers in the Louisiana Bayou or the central valley of California. These close-knit communities produce the energy that fuels our entire way of life. But their livelihood was taken.

“We made Steyerville to put these communities- literally and figuratively- on the map. The site is well researched and documented, and will continue to grow to highlight the damage Tom Steyer is doing to rural America

“And we named it Steyerville to make it clear: he destroyed this community. Tom Steyer and the billionaire funders like him: Mike Bloomberg, George Soros, and countless Hollywood elites, who paid activists and phony protesters to pressure political leaders to enact their agenda. The activists left, the protesters are gone, and destroyed communities Tom Steyer cannot find on a map nor would Mike Bloomberg deign to land his private jet near suffer the consequences of their activism. He built this, and so we named it after him, to hold him accountable, to shame him for his actions, and to hopefully stop him from doing it again,” the website announced.

Steyerville launched with a focus on communities in three states: West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Power the Future’s Executive Director Daniel Turner told the Free Beacon that he plans to expand the campaign’s reach: “We are starting in these three states, but plan to expand nationwide. New York, New Mexico, Texas, Wyoming, Louisiana all have Steyervilles: towns where Steyer pays activists to prevent the energy industry from operating.”43‘Steyerville’: New Website Blames Tom Steyer for Killing Towns of American Heartland,” The Washington Free Beacon, April 12, 2018. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/ysoFz

Turner also said that Steyerville will use targeted advertising to geo-target ads in areas that Steyer visits.44‘Steyerville’: New Website Blames Tom Steyer for Killing Towns of American Heartland,” The Washington Free Beacon, April 12, 2018. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/ysoFz

February 26, 2018

Daniel Turner was featured in a broadcast at One News Now to promote Power the Future (video below).45Daniel Turner on One News Now,” YouTube video uploaded by user “Power the Future,” February 26, 2018. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Turner described the organization as a “pushback to hold accountable some of these radical environmental groups that come into small towns in America and close coal mines.” He claimed these groups “take away all your rights” and contribute to “jobs disappearing and communities in rural America really struggling.”

February 2018

Power the Future launched with an exclusive announcement with The Daily Caller News Foundation. Founder Daniel Turner told The Daily Caller that he plans to tell the stories of workers and communities that produce fossil fuels, and to target the funding efforts of Tom Steyer and environmental opponents of fossil fuels.46Michael Bastasch. “EXCLUSIVE: A New Group Wants To Give Rural Americans A Voice And Bring The Fight To The Eco-Left,” The Daily Caller, February 18, 2018. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/etAbF

“There’s a tremendous arrogance in these activists… Just a few months ago they all flew to Paris to demand we cut back on using energy. Either none of them have Skype or they think good intentions fuel their planes.”

Meanwhile out in rural America there are guys working 12 hour shifts who make these elites’ lifestyles and their activism possible. And they don’t even get a thank you.”47Michael Bastasch. “EXCLUSIVE: A New Group Wants To Give Rural Americans A Voice And Bring The Fight To The Eco-Left,” The Daily Caller, February 18, 2018. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/etAbF

Turner said his campaign will initially target New Mexico, but will hopefully soon expand to Oklahoma and Louisiana.48Michael Bastasch. “EXCLUSIVE: A New Group Wants To Give Rural Americans A Voice And Bring The Fight To The Eco-Left,” The Daily Caller, February 18, 2018. Archived April 16, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/etAbF

Also in February, the Power the Future campaign launched with a video titled “New Mexico energy”:

Contact & Address

WHOIS records for PowertheFuture.us list Daniel Turner as the registrant and the following address:50Domain Dossier for PowertheFuture.us. Retrieved April 16, 2018. 51Privacy and Terms of Service,” Power the Future. Archived November 6, 2019. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/3s7Ao

Image screenshot via Central Ops .net.

The following is listed on the Power the Future “Terms of Service” page:

Bulldog Compliance

138 Conant Street, 2nd Floor

Beverly, MA 01915

Phone: 617-303-6800

Bulldog Compliance describes itself as providing “treasury, budgeting, and FEC compliance services for political action committees (PACs) and other fundraising-driven organizations.”52Bulldog Compliance homepage. Archived November 6, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.ph/Cioma

Bulldog is a division of Red Curve Solutions, a small company that reportedly played a large role in Donald Trump’s campaign for president.53Paul Leighton. “Local company assists Trump,” The Salem News, November 4, 2016. Archived November 6, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.ph/PSKYh The group served as treasurer for the Trump campaign, and for two Trump fundraising committees.54Statement of Organization FILING FEC-1075964Federal Election Commission. Accessed November 2019. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

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