Energy Firms in Secretive Alliance With Attorneys General To Oppose Federal Regulations.

[kpete]

Attorneys general in at least a dozen states are working with energy companies and other corporate interests, which in turn are providing them with record amounts of money for their political campaigns, including at least $16 million this year.

They share a common philosophy about the reach of the federal government, but the companies also have billions of dollars at stake. And the collaboration is likely to grow: For the first time in modern American history, Republicans in January will control a majority — 27 — of attorneys general’s offices.

The Times reported previously how individual attorneys general have shut down investigations, changed policies or agreed to more corporate-friendly settlement terms after intervention by lobbyists and lawyers, many of whom are also campaign benefactors.

But the attorneys general are also working collectively. Democrats for more than a decade have teamed up with environmental groups such as the Sierra Club to use the court system to impose stricter regulation. But never before have attorneys general joined on this scale with corporate interests to challenge Washington and file lawsuits in federal court.


http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/us/politics/energy-firms-in-secretive-alliance-with-attorneys-general.html?smid=pl-share&_r=0

[Faux pas]

1. What a pile!

Shouldn't that be against the law? We are even more screwn than I thought.

[Trillo]

2. Quite the spin on Washington.

As if Washington DC wasn't corporatist. Trying to make Washington DC as a populist government of, by, and for the people. What a delusion!

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. F*ck.

The Republicans have successfully taken over the Governorships of majority of states, and it makes sense they would want to own the State AGs.

and not a peep about it from the Dems, who seem to only focus on key states only in national elections.

Grass roots politics used to be what Dems used to known for!!!!