Oil Industry Infiltrates Local Government

by National Confidential Staff | 26 June 2011 | 2:22 pm EST

Topics American Petroleum Institute, Energy, Environment, Gulf Oil Spill, Jack Gerard, Mary Landrieu, Oil, Oil Spill

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(National Confidential) — Some of America’s worst polluters are in the middle of a scheme to control your state and local government. The oil industry, currently enjoying fat profits a year after the Deepwater Horizon spill in the Gulf of Mexico, has put in place groups to push its agenda in states without the knowledge of local citizens.

The man at the head of this campaign is Jack Gerard, president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute. Gerard told Fortune magazine (July 4, 2011 issue) that he envisions a future where Big Oil has shills in every congressional district in order to shove its agenda down the throat of the energy-consuming public.

Jack Gerard, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute

Big Oil Defeats Drilling Safety
Congressional efforts to impose stricter safety standards after the Gulf oil spill were defeated by this shadowy network. The bill improving safety standards didn’t pass the Senate after API financed rallies that claimed the legislation would hurt jobs. They even enlisted the help of former Bears coach Mike Ditka to sell their political spin. It worked. The Senate ignored the legislation.

Big Oil Takes Your Money
The Big Oil network was also able to stop an attempt to repeal the generous tax breaks they get from the federal government. Even though the economy is ailing and their profits are fat, the network pushed back against efforts by President Obama to end the tax breaks. Obama had meant for the tax break cash to fund infrastructure investments which would have created jobs.

A Bird Covered In Oil From The Gulf Oil Spill

Big Oil Tentacles Reach Washington
The API isn’t happy with exerting its muscle just against local government. They have politicians in their employ as well. Sen Mary Landrieu (D-LA) went on an international trip accompanied by Gerard. Two weeks later she did Big Oil’s bidding, holding up one of President Obama’s nominees in order to resume drilling in the Gulf. Landrieu and her associates with Big Oil got their ransom demands.

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