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The revolving door of nuclear politicians and industry lobbyists

Revolving-door lobbyists for nuclear companies will advocate on their behalf as some lawmakers and environmental groups raise questions about safety…..Nuclear issues are taking priority for some utility company lobbyists…...

Former Hill Stars Add Muscle to Nuclear Industry’s Post-Japan Lobbying, By ANNE C. MULKERN of Greenwire : April 7, 2011 As a congressman, Rep. Robert Walker extolled the safety of nuclear power, arguing that technology prevented radiation poisoning during the meltdown at Three Mile Island.

He’s buttressing nuclear again today, this time working from the inside. Retired from the House, the Pennsylvania Republican provides strategic advice to the trade group Nuclear Energy Institute.

Walker is one of more than 240 lobbyists for companies with nuclear interests who came through the government-to-industry revolving door.

A Greenwire analysis of companies involved in nuclear found that the overwhelming majority of their lobbyists previously worked on Capitol Hill or in a presidential administration. The portion ranges from a high of 83 percent at Energy Future Holdings Corp., which operates a Texas nuclear plant, to 69 percent at Entergy Corp., the country’s second largest nuclear generator.

Many of those lobbyists will present company viewpoints to lawmakers as the industry faces new scrutiny and a spate of bills following the catastrophe at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was disabled by a March 11 earthquake and tsunami……

Watchdogs argue that revolving-door lobbyists give corporations leverage that individuals and community groups lack.

“A revolving-door lobbyist is the biggest bang for your buck,” said Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at consumer group Public Citizen. “If you want to make an investment to secure access to a Congress member, the easiest way to achieve that is to hire someone who used to work for a Congress member.”….

Revolving-door lobbyists represent 78 percent of the total at Duke Energy Corp., which runs three nuclear facilities and plans to open a fourth; 74 percent at Southern Co., which has three plants; and 70 percent for Exelon Corp., the biggest nuclear generator in the country. The share of Capitol Hill-experienced lobbyists is 45 percent at the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI).

Greenwire also looked at General Electric Co., a conglomerate that made three of the six reactors at Japan’s damaged plant. Hill and administration veterans make up 63 percent of GE’s total lobbying pool.

Revolving-door lobbyists for nuclear companies will advocate on their behalf as some lawmakers and environmental groups raise questions about safety…..

Nuclear issues are taking priority for some utility company lobbyists……

Retooled strategiesThe revolving door lobbyists are part of an escalation in spending by businesses with nuclear interests.Since 2004, many of the companies have doubled or tripled influence expenditures. Exelon doled out $3.7 million on lobbying last year, up 225 percent from six years earlier. Entergy paid $4.6 million in 2010, a 136 percent increase from 2004…

Former Hill Stars Add Muscle to Nuclear Industry’s Post-Japan Lobbying – NYTimes.com

April 8, 2011 - Posted by | politics, USA

1 Comment »

  1. —
    America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.
    Abraham Lincoln

    If we do not pay attention and make a concerted effort to stop the nuclear industry, to stop the evil defense expenses that promote the bullying behavior of the Pentagon, and demand a recovery or explanation and jail time for the 2 trillion Rumsfeld announced was missing on 9-10-2001, why we have only ourselves to blame when humans become mutants or worse, life stops entirely on planet Earth. Although there is a large city underground that can accommodate the government people, paid for by the taxpayers, we are not invited should nuclear war arrive due to the greedy bulling of the idiots in charge. Why did we let this get so far? Why are we supporting Obama when he did not give us our rights back an now signed an order that allows him to jail for life a person who has been found innocent in a court of law? What is wrong with America? Drugs in the water and total passive behavior. Chem trails and morgellons. Radioactive elements covering our food and animals.
    The end is near because we do not care.
    Do not elect anyone into office who is not new.
    Vote every chance you get. Go to meetings – emphasize the nuclear threat get rid of the politicians – all of them – its a sordid mess – vote Obama out – get someone in who is not a liar.
    Too many things are suspicious about Obama and surely we are not that stupid? Birth issues, religion issues, killing Osama issues, now failure to restore our rights, and edict that he can put a man or woman in jail for life – totally against our constitution but then who follows that anymore? The world has become an evil, greedy place that is run by bankers.
    Vote them all out or we are facing our own demise. I am a libertarian. I voted for Obama. I detest the dishonest Bush politicians but honestly, we dont’ have many chances left Who wishes
    to help protect our future? I am very concerned and will do whatever is legal to do to bring this to the attention of the public.
    Finally, the disaster in Japan leaves us with the responsibility to offer the Japanese a safe haven in this country if it is not polluted by radiation. Call your senators and congressman and demand for a change that the taxpayer’s money be used for something good instead of selfish reasons that are so destructive. Demand the US help Japan and offer then refuge in this country until they wish to return. Demand the government feeds, provides shelter, and all necessary items and money to live here until they can return home. After all GE made the nuclear power plants in Japan initially. The International Nuclear group approved the plant and surely they knew if an earthquake sent by HAARP arrived, it would destroy the nuclear plant, causing the world to become
    poisoned and bringing about the deaths of a great majority of people in this planet. This is no conspiracy – this is real and it is happening right under our noses. Within 10 years, a majority of the
    people living on this planet will be dead from the radiation that the governments tell us not to worry about. If they are not dangerous elements, why don’t the government workers go to Japan and take a dip in the ocean? Why don’t the government workers feed the strawberries, beef, milk, kale and all other foods to their own children? Why have an underground structure for the government workers only paid for by taxpayers – to ensure the workers stay alive and safe while the rest of us perish. Why do they need an underground shelter if the radiation is so safe?
    It is time to speak, citizens. We are doomed if we do not.

    Comment by Sven Brown | May 18, 2011 | Reply


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