With the looming threat of President-elect Donald Trump targeting federal climate policy, states across the country are gearing up to defend their climate-friendly initiatives. California has requested $25 million to fend off any attempts by Trump to dismantle their environmental programs, while Washington voters have reaffirmed their commitment to climate policies. However, in Pennsylvania, a key energy-producing state that narrowly voted for Trump, the response to Trump’s anti-environmental agenda remains uncertain.
One indicator of Pennsylvania’s stance on environmental issues lies in the election of Dave Sunday as the state’s new attorney general. Sunday, a Republican who did not extensively address environmental issues during his campaign, received significant financial support from the fossil fuel industry. His ties to the industry were further highlighted when he appointed an oil and gas advocate to his transition team.
Campaign finance records reveal that Sunday accepted direct contributions totaling $550,000 from the Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), a tax-exempt group linked to the fossil fuel industry. RAGA, in turn, received substantial donations from fossil fuel companies, utilities, and trade groups, including Exxon Mobil and Chevron Phillips Chemical. Smaller Pennsylvania-specific fossil fuel interests also contributed to RAGA, which then funneled funds to Sunday’s campaign.
Despite Sunday’s financial ties to the fossil fuel industry, Pennsylvania residents are concerned about the state’s environmental policies. Michael Bagdes-Canning, a member of Pennsylvania Action on Climate, emphasized the importance of government action in safeguarding citizens from exposure to toxic chemicals. As Trump’s presidency unfolds, Pennsylvania’s response to environmental challenges will be closely watched. Fossil fuel industries are exerting their influence in the political arena, particularly in Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania. Behind the scenes and undercover, these industries are leveraging their immense wealth to secure and expand their power in order to protect their interests.
One key figure in this landscape is former Governor Tom Corbett, who has been tapped to assist in the transition of Sunday, the state’s first Republican attorney general in over a decade. Corbett is known for his pro-drilling stance during Pennsylvania’s fracking boom and has accepted gifts tied to the oil and gas industry in the past. This alignment highlights the close ties between the fossil fuel industry and political power in the state.
The role of state attorneys general has become increasingly crucial in the face of the Trump administration’s efforts to roll back environmental regulations and impede the transition away from fossil fuels. With the federal government taking a backseat on environmental issues, states are turning to their top law enforcement officials to lead the charge in protecting the environment and combating climate change.
However, not all state attorneys general are aligned in their approach to environmental issues. The Republican Attorneys General Association (RAGA), established in 1999 to elect Republicans to attorney general seats nationwide, has been actively challenging environmental regulations during Biden’s presidency. The organization receives contributions from various industries, including fossil fuel companies, granting them access to influential attorneys general through exclusive events and networking opportunities.
Critics argue that RAGA’s influence distorts the democratic process, as industry lobbyists are able to sway state attorneys general through financial contributions and access to exclusive events. By obscuring the origins of their donations through the IRS rather than the Federal Election Commission, RAGA is able to funnel money to candidates in contentious attorney general races without transparency.
As the battle between environmental advocates and fossil fuel industries continues to play out in state capitals like Harrisburg, the role of state attorneys general will be pivotal in determining the future of environmental policy and climate action in the United States. The influence of powerful industries behind the scenes underscores the need for transparency and accountability in the political process to ensure that the interests of the public and the planet are protected. Companies donating money through organizations like RAGA may have ulterior motives, as it’s difficult for outsiders to discern if the donations are earmarked for specific candidates. The opacity surrounding these donations raises concerns that companies may be trying to hide their influence on political campaigns.
According to a report by The Wall Street Journal in 2017, donors to similar organizations for both Democrats and Republicans have the ability to informally earmark their donations for specific candidates. This practice allows donors to indirectly support a particular candidate without explicitly stating their intentions.
U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island has criticized RAGA as part of an effort by right-wing billionaires and the fossil fuel industry to influence courts and government in favor of corporate interests. These criticisms highlight the potential for corporate influence to shape political outcomes.
In a recent example, Keystone Prosperity PAC donated a significant amount to Attorney General candidate Dave Sunday, accounting for a large portion of his campaign contributions. The PAC also spent millions on ads supporting Sunday, raising concerns about the transparency of the donations and their impact on the election.
On the other side, candidate Eugene DePasquale received support from the Democratic Attorneys General Association, which also received contributions from fossil fuel entities, albeit in smaller amounts. The disparity in donations between RAGA and DAGA reflects the influence of corporate interests on political campaigns.
Despite the significant financial support for Sunday, his campaign platform did not offer specific plans for addressing climate change. In contrast, DePasquale has a history of advocating for environmental issues, making the attorney general race in Pennsylvania crucial for climate action.
Moving forward, state environmental groups are cautiously optimistic about Sunday’s election but remain concerned about the potential influence of special interest money on his policies. Having an environmental champion in the attorney general’s office could act as a deterrent to polluters, but it remains to be seen if Sunday will fulfill that role.
Overall, the influence of corporate donations on political campaigns raises questions about the long-term implications for environmental policy and government accountability. State environmental groups will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for transparency and integrity in political fundraising.
