The Climate Bill Sends Lobbyists Into $27 Million Spending Frenzy

Leading up to the vote on the climate bill, 1,150 business and interest groups lobbied Congress on climate issues, spending an estimated $27 million or more, according to a report from watchdog group, the Center For Public Integrity. Of that, 460 of the lobbying groups were formed in the second quarter of this year, just to focus on shaping the bill. Everyone got in on the lobbying action from universities to farm hands to religious groups. The argriculture lobby--in particular, the ethanol lobby--threw its weight around, with 19 companies entering the lobbying fray for the first time in their history during the second quarter. Of these, the Center for Public Integrity singles out POET who is the largest producer of ethanol. It formed a new group called Growth Energy with other ethanol producers. Wesley Clark was the public face, but behind the scenes is a well connected group that includes CEO Tom Buis, "a long-time fixture in the farm lobby", and Jim Nussle, an ex-Congressman from Iowa also joined as special advisor...GreenSheet