Supporters Of Keystone XL Outspend Opponents 35 To 1

(Before It's News)

First published on ClimateProgress.org, a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, which was recently named one of Time magazine’s Top 25 blogs of 2010.

At least fifty oil companies, business trade associations, labor unions, and political groups with combined lobbying budgets of more than $178 million lobbied Washington in support of the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline in 2012. And the dozen groups lobbying against the environmentally risky project had 2012 lobbying budgets of less than $5 million total, a ThinkProgress analysis reveals.

In 2011, many of the same companies and groups spent heavily to push the administration to approve construction of the proposed project. Forced by Congressional Republicans to rush a decision, President Obama rejected the application last January. The Calgary, Alberta-based TransCanada Corporation vowed to reapply and the lobbying frenzy began anew.

TransCanada’s own $850,000 federal lobbying effort for 2012 was augmented by deep-pocketed allies including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce ($94,570,000 in total 2012 lobbying), the Business Roundtable ($13,989,000), the Exxon Mobil Corporation ($12,970,000).

Five labor unions (Laborers’ International Union of North America, the International Union of Operating Engineers, the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada) spent $1,559,925 in 2012 on overall lobbying, including advocacy for the project — which some labor groups believe would be a “game changer,” creating new jobs for their members.

More surprisingly, the American Jewish Committee (AJC)– which calls itself the “global advocate for the well-being of the Jewish people and for the advancement of democratic values for all” — spent part of its $100,000 lobbying budget in 2012 advocating for the pipeline. Calling energy security “a crucial element of our national security,” the group endorsed the pipeline as “part of short- and medium-term measures aimed at meeting U.S. oil demand.” AJC at least encouraged the U.S. and Canada to “take every measure to reduce the risk” of ”environmental hazard.”

Though outspent by more than a 35-to-1 ratio, groups in opposition included environmental groups, the League of Women Voters, the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and the Quaker-affiliated Friends Committee on National Legislation.

The U.S. Department of State continues to review the revised application.

Here is the breakdown of who lobbied for and against Keystone in 2012:

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