...Adds to the Industry's Record Profits ~ Interview with Bob Williams, director of the Politics of Oil Project at the Center for Public Integrity, conducted by Between the Lines' Scott Harris
Big Oil Buys Influence in Washington, Crafting Legislation that Adds to the Industry's Record Profits
Interview with Bob Williams, director of the Politics of Oil Project at the Center for Public Integrity, conducted by Scott Harris
As the price of gasoline and heating oil skyrocketed over the past year, frustrated consumers are wondering if the big oil company's record profits have been made at their expense. Increased international demand for oil products that has pushed up the price of crude in world markets is offered as one explanation, but some industry analysts have growing suspicions that big energy companies may be engaged in price gouging.
While those charges have yet to be proven, there is no doubt that the big oil companies have bought enormous influence in Washington through millions of dollars spent on campaign contributions and lobbying. A recent study conducted by the Center for Public Integrity found that the oil industry has spent more than 0 million dollars on lobbying activities since 1998, working primarily to influence the development of a new national energy policy and gain tax breaks. The industry also gave over million in campaign contributions to candidates since 1998, providing Republicans with over 73 percent of those funds.
President Bush, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and House Speaker Dennis Hastert are among the biggest recipients of oil company largesse. Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Bob Williams, director of the Politics of Oil Project at the Center for Public Integrity, who discusses the power and influence of big oil in U.S. politics.
Contact the Center for Public Integrity by calling (202) 466-1300 or visit their website at www.publicintegrity.org
Related links:
Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Project - www.citizen.org/cmep
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Original: BTL:Big Oil Buys Influence in Washington, Crafting Legislation that...