Research Cited

Koch Industries Involved in Pruitt’s Confirmation

Source: E&E News | Published: 4/26/2017

The Center for Media and Democracy, along with The Intercept, first reported the Koch filings yesterday. CMD is in the midst of a legal battle with Pruitt for the release of his email correspondence with members of the oil and gas industry during his term as state attorney general.

“Scott Pruitt’s confirmation was publicly supported by many groups that are financed by the Koch brothers,” said Nick Surgey, research director at CMD. “The Kochs can surely not believe their luck to have one of their own at the EPA, taking a wrecking ball to environmental protections they have spent millions of dollars trying to destroy.”

Pruitt Likely to Bow Out of Fundraising Gala over Legal Concerns

Climate, Environment

Source: Bloomberg BNA | Published: 4/26/2017

“As Oklahoma Attorney General, Pruitt used his position to peddle the agendas of oil and gas companies. Now, not even three months into his tenure as head of the EPA, he appears to be violating ethics laws,” Nick Surgey, research director of the Center for Media and Democracy, said in a statement. Surgey’s group is still litigating the disclosure of Pruitt’s email correspondence with the fossil fuel industry as attorney general.

What Trump Has Done for, and to, the Environment in His First 100 Days

Climate, Environment, Trump

Source: Yahoo! News | Published: 4/26/2017

A few days after his confirmation, the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD), a national watchdog group, published thousands of pages of emails showing how closely Pruitt worked with the fossil fuel industry in challenging EPA regulations.

In Trump’s First 100 Days, a Resistance Network Digs In

Environment, Trump

Source: NPR | Published: 4/25/2017

Center for Media and Democracy

What They’re Doing

Litigating to uncover EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s email traffic with energy companies, from his time as Oklahoma attorney general. Examining disclosures of Trump agency appointees for potential ethics concerns.

Simply Plant Food? Simply Not True

Climate, Environment

Source: St. George Daily Spectrum | Published: 4/25/2017

His organization has no credibility in public policy. According to the Center for Media and Democracy, a watchdog organization that investigates corruption and the undue influence of corporations on media and democracy, Harris’ organization has direct ties to coal mining companies.

Ex-Koch Operative Tapped to Lead Rule-Cutting Task Force

Koch

Source: E&E News | Published: 4/24/2017

A former general counsel to Freedom Partners, Jorjani was one of the highest-paid employees at both the Charles Koch Institute and the Charles Koch Foundation, according to a 2011 IRS filing obtained by the Center for Media and Democracy.

Report: GOP Lawmakers Selling Access to Top Staffers

Democracy

Source: The Hill | Published: 4/20/2017

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) are advertising to donors that they will get invitations to events with congressional staff such as chiefs of staff, leadership staffers and committee staffers, the report said, citing documents it and the Center for Media and Democracy obtained.

Earth Day Art Contest Showcases ‘Awesomeness’ of Fossil Fuels

Climate, Environment, Koch, SPN

Source: Bloomberg Quint | Published: 4/13/2017

The Institute says it is agnostic on energy resources and won’t disclose its donors. But it has financial ties to companies that include coal miner Peabody Energy Corp. and the Koch Industries Inc., according to the Center for Media and Democracy, a non-profit watchdog group.

Celebrate Fossil Fuels on Earth Day with Those Fun-Loving Koch Brothers

Climate, Environment, Koch, SPN

Source: CleanTechnica | Published: 4/12/2017

The Independence Institute, a self-described “action tank” based in Colorado, wants us to celebrate fossil fuels on Earth Day, April 22. “Enviros celebrate by planting trees but they never celebrate the trucks that deliver the trees, or the gas that powers that truck, or the plastic handles of the shovels they use,” it said in a recent email to ThinkProgress.

Will Wind in Kansas Leave Coal in the Dust?

Environment

Source: EcoWatch | Published: 4/12/2017

If Sunflower decides to proceed with construction, the new Holcomb plant would join an exclusive club. Only four other coal plants are proposed or under construction in the U.S., according to SourceWatch, a project of the Center for Media and Democracy.