Emailing "Politics: Green/Cleantech Lobbying Upswing"
When you think of a lobbying in Washington, and you're likely thinking of huge industries and political groups that pour amazing amounts of money into getting our elected representatives to see their point of view (to put it mildly). Cleantech start-ups and environmentalist groups were traditionally at an advantage.
Now that Obama is calling for the New Deal Part II, green companies are lining up in droves for a piece of the action.
The Wall Street Journal reports:
Nearly 300 green companies and industry groups have signed up Washington lobbying firms seeking tax breaks, research grants, contracts and other government business during the current two-year session of Congress, according to disclosure forms reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. That is an eightfold increase from the previous session.
The growth in the green-lobbying business is the offshoot of converging economic and political trends: Rising energy prices and concerns about global warming have created a need to find alternative energy sources. Meanwhile, the 2006 and 2008 elections have empowered Democrats who are more inclined to use the government to boost energy efficiency and renewable fuels. That has put billions of dollars up for grabs.
Let the games begin.