Re-post from thepoliticaldesk.com – Last week, we detailed all of the contributions Gov. Bobby Jindal has received from trial lawyers, landowners and others who are involved with one side of the legacy litigation issue.
This week, we’re providing details on the other side. Specifically, how five of the lawmakers leading the legacy debate collected more than $43,000 in contributions in 2011 alone from the oil and gas industry and other related parties.
Like Jindal, these lawmakers also have some donations from the opposing side. Meaning they have contributions from landowners as well as trial lawyers. In other words, they take money from all comers. However, these same legislators are showing their chosen alliances during the ongoing regular session.
Here’s an overall count, based on campaign finance reports made available by the Louisiana Ethics Administration:
– House Civil Law Chairman Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans, who is sponsoring legacy legislation backed by oil and gas interests, collected $6,550 last year from these sources.
– Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley, R-Benton, who is sponsoring legacy legislation backed by oil and gas interests, collected $16,250 last year from these sources.
– Senate Natural Resources Chairman Gerald Long, R-Winnfield, who is overseeing hearings related to legacy litigation, collected $5,500 last year from these sources.
– House Natural Resources Chairman Gordon Dove, R-Houma, who is overseeing hearings related to legacy litigation, collected $5,750 last year from these sources.
– Senate Judiciary B Committee Chairman J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, who is sponsoring legacy legislation backed by oil and gas interests, collected $9,000 last year from these sources.
The legacy issue is complicated. It involves oilfields that have been contaminated, sometimes by several different energy companies over the span of generations. They require mitigation and the courts have responded with massive judgements while somehow ignoring the cleanup process.
Wealthy landowners argue that the current system gives too much leverage to wealthy oil executives. Big oil argues that trail layers are milking the mess. Environmentalists say the Department of Natural Resources is too influential, intervening in litigation and rendering judgments that side with industry.
How should liability be addressed? Who should mediate? How should the fields be restored? These are the questions.
If you’re looking for another analysis of the money behind the issue, one that doesn’t highlight “big landowners versus big oil,” then check out this column that was published by The Advocate over the weekend. It profiles an everyday citizen, without deep pockets, who found himself in the middle of this mess. Presumably, he’s one example of many.
For now, here’s a breakdown of those oil-related legacy donations from 2011.
House Civil Law Chairman Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans
- – Chevron Corporation: $250
- – Chevron Corporation: $1,000
- – Conoco Phillips Company: $500
- – Courson Nickel: $250
- – Marathon Petroleum Company: $300
- – Chevron Corporation: $1,250
- – Stupp Corporation: $1,000
- – Atmos Energy Corporation: $250
- – Atmos Energy Corporation: $250
- – Conoco Phillips Company: $250
- – Louisiana Oil & Gas Political Action Committee: $250
- – Louisiana Oil Marketers: $250
- – Chesapeake Operating: $250
- – Exxon Mobile: $500
Senate Transportation Chairman Robert Adley, R-Benton
– Beta Land Services: $2,500
– Energy Transfer Partners: $1,000
– Exxon Mobil: $1,000
– Badger Oil: $1,000
– Cardinal Gas Storage: $500
– Chesapeake Operating: $500
– Courson Nickel: $500
– El Paso Energy Service: $1,000
– Justiss Oil: $500
– Louisiana Tank: $250
– Petrohawk Energy: $500
– Petroleum Connections: $500
– Petroquest Energy: $1,500
– Stone Energy: $2,500
– Tri State Land And Mineral: $2,500
Senate Natural Resources Chairman Gerald Long, R-Winnfield
– Exxon Mobil Corporation: $500
– Marathon Petroleum Company: $500
– Atmos Energy: $500
– Atmos Energy: $500
– Chesapeake Operating: $500
– Conocophillips Company: $500
– Courson Nickel: $500
– Energy Transfer Partners: $1,000
– Louisiana Oil Marketers: $500
– Paramount Oil Tools & Equipment: $500
House Natural Resources Chairman Gordon Dove, R-Houma
– Amos Entergy: $500
– Chesapeake Operating: $250
– Courson Nickel: $250
– Exxon Mobil: $500
– Bepco: $2,500
– Chevron/Texaco: $250
– Encana Oil & Gas: $500
– Exxon Mobil: $1,000
Senate Judiciary B Committee Chairman J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans
– Chevron Policy Government And Public Affairs: $500
– Helis Oil & Gas Company: $2,500
– Marathon Petroleum Company: $750
– MC – LMOGA PAC: $500
– Conoco Phillips Company: $500
– Encana Oil & Gas: $500
– Louisiana Oil Marketers: $500
– Chesapeake Operating: $500
– Chesapeake Operating: $500
– Courson Nickel: $500
– Louisiana Oil And Gas PAC: $250
– Louisiana Oil And Gas PAC: $500
– Petrohawk Energy Corporation: $1,000
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments