The Waxman-Markey climate-change bill that passed the House two weeks back had the strong backing of some major players in the energy industry. Duke Energy, AES, and General Electric are the leading proponents of a cap-and-trade scheme for greenhouse gas emissions, but power company Entergy has also long been a player in the greenhouse-gas allowance lobbying game.
In 2008, Entergy petitioned the Supreme Court to declare CO2–the stuff you and I (and even Entergy’s attorneys) exhale–a pollutant. The company is a leading nuclear power provider, and it also has already invested in carbon credits. A cap-and-trade scheme means profits for Entergy.
Also, the bill contains a “Renewable Portfolio Standard,” requiring power companies to generate a portion of their electricity from renewable sources. Entergy has already invested in wind and solar.
Arkansas columnist David J. Sanders had Rep. Vic Snyder, D-Ark., on his radio show last week, and Snyder explained why he backed Waxman-Markey while the other three Arkansas congressmen voted Nay. Sanders writes in his column today:
So why did [Rep. Snyder] support it? Snyder, who fears dire consequences from man-made global warming, said it was a vote of conscience, stationing him “on the right side of history.” But that wasn’t his only reason. He admitted that the intense lobbying by Entergy officials helped sway his vote.
Former Sen. John Breaux, D-La., is one of Entergy’s lobbyists on renewable energy. Although this bill’s supporters charge opponents with being corporate shills, this bill is progressing on the strength of corporate lobbyists.
