On September 13, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) fined Georgia-Pacific, a subsidiary of Koch Industries, $1.2 million for abandoning a natural gas pipeline without notifying federal regulators and lying about work already completed once it did notify them.
Economy
Parent Company of Taco Bell & KFC Pivots to Funding Right-Wing Causes
The fast food giant Yum! Brands has reversed its 2012 decision to stop funding the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and started paying annual dues to an association of right-wing attorneys general, according to its most recent voluntary financial disclosure.
After 50 Years, This Right-Wing Law Factory Is Crazier Than Ever
The American Legislative Exchange Council is where corporations and far-right groups go to buy government policy.
Software Giant Oracle Joins American Legislative Exchange Council
Oracle, the fifth largest tech company in the U.S., has voluntarily disclosed that it has joined the American Legislative Exchange Council.
Investment Firm Cofounded by Vivek Ramaswamy Holds Shares in BlackRock
Ramaswamy’s own conflict of interest in attacking BlackRock shows just how difficult it is for public pension managers to avoid ESG investments if they own any ETFs — as do most pension funds — since they represent the most significant stocks bought and sold on the market every day.
Vulnerable House GOP Freshmen Voted to Kill Funding for Clean Energy Projects in Their Own Districts
Six of the most vulnerable first-term congressional Republicans represent districts that are benefitting from new renewable energy facilities made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022, one of President Biden’s most significant legislative achievements to date.
Fossil Fuel Consultant and Leonard Leo Lieutenant Lobby ALEC Lawmakers on “Stopping ESG”
At last week’s annual meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a fossil fuel industry consultant teamed up with a right-wing culture warrior to lobby ALEC lawmakers to move legislation that punishes companies embracing sustainable business practices.
ALEC Ditches Free Market and Limited Government Principles at its 50th Annual Meeting
Republican state lawmakers, corporate lobbyists, and right-wing operatives are descending on Orlando this week for the 50th Annual Meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council ready to fight “woke capitalism,” extend a lifeline to big polluters, ban ranked-choice voting, attack bodily autonomy, and consider an array of other model policies.
ALEC Considers Blacklisting Companies That Voluntarily Recognize Unions
Republican state lawmakers and corporate lobbyists in the American Legislative Exchange Council will consider model legislation this week that creates new barriers to union organizing efforts across the country.
Federal Covid Relief Funds Fuel Koch-Backed Flat Tax “Revolution”
A decade-long push by Koch’s political and policy network to get more states to flatten or abolish income taxes is finally beginning to pay off, thanks to billions in federal Covid relief funds flowing to the states.