Refineries Seeking Canadian Tar Sands Quietly Finance Pro-Keystone XL Advocacy
The Consumer Energy Alliance has played a key role in building support for the Keystone XL pipeline. The group sponsored a pro-pipeline study, provided letters used by members of Congress to endorse the project, mobilized thousands of petitions to the State Department, and even created the website “BuildKXLNow.org.” David Holt, president of CEA, portrays his group
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Obama Admin’s TPP Trade Officials Received Hefty Bonuses From Big Banks
Officials tapped by the Obama administration to lead the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations have received multimillion dollar bonuses from CitiGroup and Bank of America, financial disclosures obtained by Republic Report show. Stefan Selig, a Bank of America investment banker nominated to become the Under Secretary for International Trade at the Department of Commerce, received more
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Pro-Keystone XL Labor’s Short Term Strategy: Fund Union-Busting
Several construction labor unions have decided to lend their support to the Keystone XL. Though critics charge that the pipeline will lead to a drastic increase in carbon emissions, the unions, including Laborers International Union and the International Union of Operating Engineers, have endorsed the project in exchange for several thousand short-term jobs and only 35
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How the Manufacturer of Chemical in WV Spill Lobbies to Prevent Regulation
As 4-methylcyclohexane methanol (MCHM), a coal-processing chemical, leaked into the Elk River in West Virginia last month, the health effects of the substance were not, and are still not, clear. Both federal and state officials know little about the chemical, even though it has been in use for decades. And if Eastman Chemical Company, the
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Minn. Court Upholds Big Jury Verdict Against Globe For-Profit College
Last August, a Minnesota jury awarded Heidi Weber, a former dean at for-profit Globe University, $395,000 in damages against the school. Weber alleged that she was fired for complaining that Globe used false job placement statistics and engaged in other misconduct to recruit students. On Tuesday, the trial judge in the case rejected Globe’s motion
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Revolving Door: Top Obama Admin Antitrust Officials Tied To Comcast
The news that cable and news giant Comcast has struck a deal to purchase Time Warner, another large cable business, has raised concerns over market concentration. Observers note that the combined company, even if it divests some holdings, would create monopoly-like conditions for the industry. Many are predicting a lobbying blitz by both companies to
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Congressman In Charge of Overseeing Wall Street Records Video Praising Bank Lobbyist
Bank lobbyist Charlie Black occupies a warm place in Congressman Jeb Hensarling’s heart. “Charlie taught me a lot about politics, taught me a lot about legislation, and I’ve always sought his advice and counsel. He just does such a great job and demands so much respect on Capitol Hill,” says Hensarling in a video recorded
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Colin Powell Chairs Business Accused of Systematically Defrauding Veterans
As veterans return home to earn a college degree, many say they have been defrauded out of their education benefits from a company chaired by none other than retired general and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. Powell is the chairman of the advisory board to Leeds Equity Partners, an investment firm that co-owns for-profit
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