Big Oil Set to Claim Influential Senate Energy Chair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11 February 2014

Contacts:
Steve Kretzmann, steve [at] priceofoil [dot] org
David Turnbull, david [at] priceofoil [dot] org

Response to Senator Landrieu Election as Chair of Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
One of Big Oil’s Closest Allies Set to Become Influential Senate Energy Chair
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In an attempt to bolster Senator Landrieu’s (D-LA) upcoming re-election bid, the Democratic leadership in the Senate is set to make her the new chairperson of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources following a Senate Democratic Caucus vote expected later today. This decision will ensure one of Big Oil’s closest Democratic allies is in a prime position to work in their interest.

In response to Senator Landrieu’s new position, Stephen Kretzmann, Executive Director of Oil Change International, released the following statement:

“Big Oil has been pursuing a ‘buypartisan’ strategy and it’s likely to pay off with Senator Landrieu. The Senator would do well to remember that she represents all the citizens of Louisiana who are dealing every day with the health and climate impacts of the petrochemical industry and not simply the corporate donors who are lining her pockets with petrodollars for reelection.”

Background:

According to Oil Change International’s Dirty Energy Money database, Senator Landrieu has taken $1,548,323 from the fossil fuel industry since she was first elected to office, averaging over $500,000 each election cycle. By comparison, the Senate average is $392,698 per Senator.

Senator Murkowski (R-AK), the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy Committee, has taken $1,212,733 during her career. The 22 person Senate Energy Committee has taken a combined total of $9,422,101.

More information on fossil fuel industry campaign contributions can be found via our Dirty Energy Money database: http://dirtyenergymoney.org/

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