Polluters invest in post-COVID lobbying

WASHINGTON– A new analysis from Friends of the Earth shows a boost in lobbying registrations from the oil, gas and plastic industries as a result of the coronavirus. A review of new registrations indicates that polluting industries are hiring additional lobbyists to exploit opportunities presented by the coronavirus, including the allocation of scarce stimulus dollars.

“Dirty corporations are wasting no time exploiting the coronavirus for profit,” said Lukas Ross, senior policy analyst at Friends of the Earth. “Big polluters with the spare cash to hire lobbyists don’t deserve a bailout. Congress must focus relief efforts on workers and communities on the frontlines of the crisis.”

Some of the highlights include:

• Fracking company Range Resources hired a federal lobbyist specifically to support efforts to access coronavirus stimulus spending
• The trade association for Gulf Coast oil producers hired a federal lobbyist specifically to push new incentives for offshore drilling.
• At least two major plastic and plastic-related trade associations hired additional lobbyists specifically to address the response to the coronavirus.

Expert contact: Lukas Ross, (202) 222-0724, [email protected]
Communications contact: Erin Jensen, (202) 222-0722, [email protected]