Part 1: Industry Shadows the PA Pipeline Infrastructure Taskforce (PITF)

Part 1 of a series Connecting the Dots of

Pipeline Infrastructure Taskforce (PITF)
Please be patient for publication of other parts,
there are many people on PITF and many dots to
connect.

Background
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf invited interested
parties to become part of the Pennsylvania Pipeline
Infrastructure Taskforce (PITF) in May 2015. The
purpose of PITF is to help state agencies, natural
gas producers and communities to work together
as more pipelines are headed for Pennsylvania 1.
Over the next 10 years, Pennsylvania expects over
25,000 miles of gathering lines connecting wells to
processing and compressor stations, with an
additional 4,000-5,000 miles of midstream and
transmission lines.
In addition to PITF, Pennsylvania has two advisory boards dealing with the issue of oil &
gas development. The original Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board was split into two
boards. Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board (OGTAB) 2 is responsible for
unconventional drilling (fracking), while the Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory
Committee (COGAC) 3 address the more traditional practice of drilling.
The majority of voting members on the OGTAB and COGAC boards are from the Oil
and Gas industry. Both have 9 members with 5 as voting members and 4 as non-voting
members.
In comparison, PITF is an enormous taskforce with approximately 149 members which
are divided into 12 workgroups. According to the PITF website:
The Task Force is made up of representatives from state agencies, the
legislature, federal and local governments, the pipeline and natural gas industries
and environmental groups, among others. The Secretary of the Department of
Environmental Protection serves as Chairman.
1

Pennsylvania Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force |

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pipeline_infrastructure_task_force/22066/
2
Oil and Gas Technical Advisory Board |
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/oil_and_gas_technical_advisory_board_%28TAB
%29/18260
3
Conventional Oil and Gas Advisory Committee |
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/conventional_oil_and_gas_advisory_committee/
21984

Industry Shadows
At first glance, it is obvious PITF is heavily weighted with industry corporations. Most
will focus on these corporations and dismiss the inclusion of Michael Butler, Mid-Atlantic
Director for the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) and Paul Hartman, Regional Director,
State Affairs for Americas Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) as simply being yet another
industry interest.
CEA and ANGA in the taskforce may seem to be a minor concern; however between
them they bring a great deal more industry interests, power, and influence to the
taskforce.
In Part One of this series we examine the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA)

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA)

The Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) is of many front groups within the fossil fuel echo
chamber. For an Echo Chamber to work properly there must be more than one
chamber. These chambers may include multiple Public Relation firms, lobby
organizations, industry groups and their campaigns.
Echo chamber is a colloquial term used to describe a group of media outlets that tend to
parrot each others uncritical reports on the views of a single source, or that otherwise
relies on unquestioning repetition of official sources.
Philip Morris & the Echo Chamber Technique: in 1998 John Scruggs, a
Washington D.C. lobbyist for Philip Morris described the echo chamber
approach to advocacy as constituting the repetition of a selected message by the
most credible sources that surround a decision maker. The more a particular
view or piece of information echoes or resonates through this group, the greater
its impact.
Grassroots efforts are so effective in modern day advocacy programs because
they cause many constituents to repeat the same message to the target Member.
Grasstops or Influentials campaigns work because those highest on the
hierarchy scale, with the greatest degree of credibility, repeat the same or similar
messages. You will note that the echo chamber effect can work in two different
ways.
First, the same message can reverberate among multiple sources toward the
target Members. For example, the same information from polling data captured in
a single poll can be repeated by the media, congressional colleagues, lobbyists
and advertising.

Second, similar but complementary messages can be repeated by a single

source. Either the repetition or piling on approach provide the same result:
enhanced credibility and influence of the essential message, he explained. 4
The same Phillip Morris Technique is being used with many industry issues. Today the
industry as has added layers of websites and social media to their echo chamber
infrastructure. Many of these try to pose as grassroots or consumers to give the
impression that the people are speaking.
The puppeteer behind CEA is HBW Resources.
The US Carbon standard issue is a good example of how the echo chamber 5:
Despite their skills and experience, Mar and Whatley knew that defeating climate
policy required allies. Thats why one of the first strategy proposals in Whatleys
January 25, 2010, campaign briefing to Mar was to team up with affiliated
energy coalitions and trade associations, thought leaders, elected officials,
unions and key allies. The goal was to enlist these players to build opposition
towards low carbon fuel standards in each of our target regions. The campaign
apparently needed state-based and regional 3rd party advocates for Canadian
oil sands to give it legitimacy.
Who better to play that role than the energy consumer groups the airlines,
truckers, railroads, highway users, shippers most dependent on oil? So item
#1 on Whatleys Action Plan was to develop easy-to-read and user friendly
informational briefs for trade associations, unions and others. With the proper
motivation, these groups could generate op-eds and letters to the editor of
regional and local newspapers, reads the proposal. And they could also write
letters to governors and key elected officials.
This supposed popular groundswell would then be legitimized further, it
explained, by a select group of thought leaders, those public intellectuals with
the ear of political power. Whatleys proposal suggested engaging with seven
prominent think tanks, two of which, the Cato Institute and the Heritage
Foundation, received millions of dollars in funding from Koch Industries to
question the science behind global warming.
To keep everything moving smooth, HBW Resources (aka the Consumer Energy
Alliance) would perform its traditional functions: running anti-fuel standard ad
4

Echo Chamber | Sourcewatch | Center for Media and Democracy

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Echo_chamber#Philip_Morris_.26_the_Echo_Chamber_Techniqu
e
5
Big Oil and Canada thwarted U.S. carbon standards Emails show how a Washington lobbyist enlisted
Canadian officials to beat back U.S. carbon standards | By Geoff Dembicki | Salon.com Dec 15, 2011
http://www.salon.com/2011/12/15/big_oil_and_canada_thwarted_u_s_carbon_standards/

campaigns, coordinating with such key allies as the American Petroleum

Institute, lobbying policymakers and political leaders and generating as much
media attention as possible. If everything went to plan, Whatleys briefing
concluded, HBW Resources will be able to successfully draw critical local, state
and regional attention to the adverse impacts of efforts to restrict imports of
Canadian oil sands into the United States. In other words, let the assault begin!
From an excerpt of a January 26, 2011 email from N. Joubert to K. Koehler and D. Holt
of Consumer Energy Alliance 6:
These bullet points are strategy updates prepared by the Consumer Energy
Alliance and sent by oil industry lobbyist Michael Whatley to Albertan diplomat
Gary Mar and others.
Note the bullet labeled Echo Chamber Update & Discussion. The fact that an
oil industry-supported public relations group would explicitly make reference to
creating an Echo Chamber is quite remarkable. This term is typically part of
lexicon used by environmentalists to evoke shady fossil fuel conspiracies as
in, such and such an oil company created an Echo Chamber to spread its
propaganda across the blogosphere
In practical terms, the Consumer Energy Alliances Echo Chamber is a strategy
where any message created by that group or its supporters would be echoed
across many different blogs and websites, creating the impression of a largescale movement. The Alliance appears to have also utilized this tactic to rally
support for TransCanadas controversial Keystone XL pipeline.

Echo Chamber | By Geoff Dembicki | Salon.com Dec 15, 2011

http://www.salon.com/2011/12/15/big_oil_and_canada_thwarted_u_s_carbon_standards/slide_show/5

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) and HBW Resources

Michael Whately is credited for creating the Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) and is the
Executive Vice President 7, a founder of HBW Resources 8 and Executive Director for
Southeast Energy
Reliance 9.
Per HBW Resources 10:
HBW Resources is an
integrated strategic
consulting and
advocacy firm. Our
multidisciplinary
approach provides our
clients with innovative
thinking and hands-on
seasoned experience.
Our approach cuts
through partisan views
to represent national
and international
companies, trade
associations, labor unions, non-for-profit organizations, Federal and State level
departments and agencies, academia, and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs). With offices in Houston, Washington, D.C., Denver, Chicago, Lexington,
KY and Calgary, HBW Resources has forged a solid reputation of working
effectively at the cross- section of the public policy, regulatory, technical and
political arenas to provide high value, strategic counsel needed to achieve results
for our clients.
The two other HBW Resource Partners are David Holt and Andrew Browning. Holt is
also President of CEA 11. Browning is a Policy Advisor for CEA 12.
CEA Staff work for HBW Resources 13.

Michael Whatley | Townhall.com http://townhall.com/columnists/michaelwhatley/

Michael Whatley | OpenSecrets.org http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/rev_summary.php?id=71168
9
Michael Whatley | OpenSecrets.org http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/rev_summary.php?id=71168
10
HBW Resources | Who We Are http://hbwresources.com/
11
David Holt | Managing Partner HBW Resources http://hbwresources.com/bios/david-holt-managingpartner/
12
Andrew Browning | Consumer Energy Alliance Staff http://consumerenergyalliance.org/aboutconsumer-energy-alliance/staff/
13
Consumer Energy Alliance Staff | http://consumerenergyalliance.org/about-consumer-energyalliance/staff/
HBW Resources Staff | http://hbwresources.com/bios/
8

HBW Resources Strategic Partnerships

HBW Resources has formed a number of strategic partnerships including Florida
based Wexford Strategies, Northington Strategy Group, CSA Ocean Sciences,
Heartland Strategy Group and Washington Matters LLC.
Wexford Strategies 14 is a government and public affairs firm led by experienced public
sector executive Kevin Doyle, the former State Director for U.S. Senator Mel Martinez
and current Board Member for CareerSource Florida, the states workforce development
agency. With offices in Jacksonville and Tallahassee and a strategic partner's office in
the Tampa Bay region, the firm serves corporate and business clients, advocacy
groups, trade associations and not-for-profit groups in providing business development,
public policy advocacy, government relations, public relations, strategic
communications, public affairs and issue management services.
Wexford Strategies and HBW Resources formed a partnership in 2014 15.
The team at Wexford Strategies is excited about our new relationship with HBW
Resources as we transition to become their Florida extension, said Kevin Doyle,
Managing Partner for Wexford Strategies. We look forward to advocating on
issues that are important to HBW clients throughout the Sunshine State while
also giving our Florida-based clients access to an extensive national network with
additional resources and offices throughout North America.
Specific to energy issues, Wexfords clients include Royal Dutch Shell and the
Consumer Energy Alliance.
Northington Strategy Group (NSG) 16 is a public policy firm specializing in federal oil
and gas, public lands, and natural resource regulatory issues. NSG claims to be "The
preeminent federal oil and gas, public lands & natural resource regulatory firm in
Washington, D.C."
In 2013 HBW Resources and NSG formed an energy business development and
consulting services alliance.
Per Press Release 17:
The agreement brings together two of the nations most experienced consultants
on federal energy and environmental policy. As part of their agreement, the two
firms will work together to recruit, develop, and serve clients in the fields of
energy exploration and development, natural resources and transportation, and
environmental protection.
14

Wexford Strategies |http://www.wexfordstrategies.com/

HBW Resources Expands into Florida through Strategic Partnership with Wexford Strategies |
http://www.wexfordstrategies.com/#!hbw-resources-and-wexford-strategies/cus5
16
Northington Strategy Group | http://www.northingtonstrategygroup.com/
17
Strategic Partnership for Energy Regulatory Affairs | by Michael Zehr | HBW Resources Jan 31, 2013
http://hbwresources.com/hbw-resources-announces-strategic-partnership-for-energy-regulatory-affairs/
15

John Northington will help our clients develop a strategy that will enable them to
reach their business goals and operate within an increasingly complex federal
regulatory environment, said David Holt, managing partner of HBW Resources.
We are pleased that John and his firm have teamed up with HBW Resources
and greatly look forward to working with him to serve clients across the energy
and natural resource development sectors.
Northington, who was a Clinton administration appointee at both the Department
of Energy (DOE) and the Department of the Interior (DOI), said companies need
to pay close attention to regulatory actions and political currents, especially in the
current environment of partisan brinksmanship. He also stated his belief that the
collaboration between the firms will offer clients not only the knowledge that
comes with regulatory experience, but also the refined political and legislative
acumen required to succeed.
Current and past clients of Northington Strategy Group include 18:

18

Clients | Northington Strategy Group | http://www.northingtonstrategygroup.com/clients/

CSA Ocean Sciences 19 specializes in multidisciplinary projects concerning

potential environmental impacts of activities throughout the world and offers a
wide variety of desktop and field survey services.
Per March 2015 Press Release 20:
By combining CSA Ocean Sciences offshore technical and environmental
expertise with HBWs energy, government and regulatory expertise, our
partnership will offer the offshore industry an unprecedented ability to identify and
mitigate risk and provide valuable service to our clients, said Al Hart, Executive
Vice President of CSA. Our PRIME + H20 and other service offerings will
provide companies a safe harbor in the uncertain offshore environment we face
today.
CSAs client list 21 includes American Petroleum Institute (API), BP Oil Company,
Chevron U.S.A. Inc., ExxonMobil Corporation, Shell Offshore Inc. and a number of US
Government departments and agencies.
CSA has two divisions:
The Science Division provides expertise in biological, physical, geological, and
chemical sciences.
The Operations Division is a stand-alone entity that supports the Science
Division and also provides turn-key services for coastal, nearshore, and offshore
consulting requirements.
Heartland Strategy Group (HSG) 22 is a full-service consulting, issue management and
advocacy firm founded in 2013 by public and private sector executives Tim Becker,
Barry Rubin, and former U.S. Senator and Governor Ben Nelson.
HSG services include Grassroots and Coalition Building and Activation 23:
Voices can be heard and goals can be achieved through the power of
partnership and collaboration. To maximize a clients chance of success, we pool
our resources, knowledge and connections and identify the parties that hold a
similar political agenda. By doing so, clients secure a unified power of more than
one voice to better gain attention and supportthus, a stable network of likeminded individuals is built and launched.
19

CSA Ocean Sciences | https://www.csaocean.com/

HBW Resources and CSA Ocean Sciences Announce Global Strategic Partnership | CSA Ocean
Sciences March 24, 2015 https://www.csaocean.com/press-releases/2015/03/hbw-resources-and-csaocean-sciences-announce-global-strategic-partnership
21
Client List| CSA Ocean Sciences | https://www.csaocean.com/client-list
22
Heartland Strategy Group | http://www.heartlandstrategy.com/about/
23
Heartland Strategy Group | Grassroots/Coalition Building and Activation |
http://www.heartlandstrategy.com/services/grassrootscoalition-building-and-activation/
20

Our grassroots and coalition solutions are developed to successfully connect key
individuals and reach audiences, on a local, state or national level. Its an
approach that enhances the ability to reach the goals of each party involved,
while forming a mutually beneficial, cohesive stance that enlightens and
mobilizes. Often times, the alliances built arent short-lived; many result in longterm relationships that evolve into organic, ongoing partnerships.
Washington Matters LLC 24 operates as a consulting services firm and provides clients
with various lobbying and government relations consulting services. Former US
Representative Jimmy Hayes is Chief Executive Officer and President. Hayes was
originally a member of the Democratic Party, in 1995 he switch to the Republican Party.
Hayes retired from the House in 1997 after losing a run for the Senate and became a
lobbyist.

24

Washington Matters LLC | Bloomberg Business |

http://www.bloomberg.com/profiles/companies/0369326D:US-washington-matters-llc

Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) Astroturf

To the general public, a Grassroots
organization is made up of local people who
volunteer their time to a specific cause or
issue. A grassroots organization may have
a few paid staff, but their job is to help the
volunteers with their efforts. Grassroots are
people rich and funding poor.
A grassroots group may work in conjunction
with other grassroots groups where there
are issues in common, but in general each
group will work independently of each
other.
In contrast, Astroturf are organizations or
campaigns that are primarily conceived, created and/or funded by corporations, industry
trade associations, political interests or public relations firms. Astroturf organizations are
funding rich and people poor.
Astroturf groups actively work together and may be managed by the same source(s) to
echo the talking points and coordinate messaging. By multiplying their presence via
groups, websites etc., astroturf groups project the impression of wide general public
support or opposition to a particular issue.
Per SourceWatch 25:
Campaigns & Elections magazine defines astroturf as a "grassroots program that
involves the instant manufacturing of public support for a point of view in which
either uninformed activists are recruited or means of deception are used to
recruit them." Journalist William Greider has coined his own term to describe
corporate grassroots organizing. He calls it "democracy for hire."
Senator Lloyd Bentsen, himself a long-time Washington and Wall Street insider,
is credited with coining the term "astroturf lobbying" to describe the synthetic
grassroots movements that now can be manufactured for a fee by companies
like Beckel Cowan, Bivings Group, Bonner & Associates, Burson-Marsteller,
Davies Communications, DCI Group, Direct Impact, Hill & Knowlton, Issue
Dynamics Inc., National Grassroots & Communications, or Optima Direct.
HBW Resources astroturf begins with Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA). Per CEA
About page 26:
25

Astroturf | SourceWatch | Center for media and Democracy

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Astroturf#Astroturf_in_the_Gas_Industry
26
Consumer Energy Alliance | About| http://consumerenergyalliance.org/about-consumer-energy-alliance/

Consumer Energy Alliance is the voice of the energy consumer. We provide

consumers with sound, unbiased information on U.S. and global energy issues.
Our affiliates comprise a range of sectors from the energy industry, academia,
small businesses, conservation groups to travel-related industries.
CEA has branched out to six
regional chapters operating in 20
states and claims to be
grassroots 27. CEA Regional
chapters are in Texas, Florida,
Alaska, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest and
Southeast. Note CEA claims the
chapters are grassroots.
None of these chapters have their
own website or individual contact
information. Each of the chapter
pages are located within the CEA
website and are virtually identical.
Two campaigns of CEA are Secure
Our Fuels with a website redirect to
Energy 4 US, and Energy Voices.
Secure Our Fuels (SOF)
The Secure Our Fuels was once its own website,
the URL of secureourfuels.org now redirects to
Energy 4 Us (energy4us.org).
Secureourfuels.org is registered to Dittus
Communications. Energy 4 Us is registered by
proxy.
When SOF was active, contact information was
directed to the Consumer Energy Alliance staff:
Casey OShea, Michael Whatley and David Holt.
Casey OShea 28 is a managing director in the
Strategic Communications segment at FTI
Consulting, and is based in Washington, D.C. He also is part of the segments Public
Affairs practice and Energy & Natural Resources industry practice.
Michael Whatley and David Holt are two of three HBW Resources Founders and
Partners.

27
28

Consumer Energy Alliance Regional Chapters | http://consumerenergyalliance.org/regional-chapters/

Casey OShea | FTI Consulting | http://www.fticonsulting.com/global2/professionals/casey-oshea.aspx

Energy 4 Us lists no one by name with regards to staff or contact, nor does it mention or
otherwise redirect to CEA or Secure Our Fuels. To the casual viewer it appears to be
an independent grassroots group.
Per "Who We Are" 29:
Energy4US.org is a coalition of consumers, businesses and workers united in the
belief that energy empowers us, allows us choices and improves our quality of
life.
Its not until one digs deeper into CEA and SOF that a confirmed connection is found 30.

29
30

Energy 4 Us | Who We Are | http://energy4us.org/who-we-are/

Energy 4 Us | Welcome to Secure Our Fuels | http://energy4us.org/first-blog-post/

Clicking on the Secure Our Fuels link as shown in the above graphic will redirect to the
Energy 4 Us homepage.
Per Press Release 31: (emphasis added)
Consumer Energy Alliance Launches 'Secure Our Fuels' Campaign to Combat
National Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Proposals:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Consumer Energy
Alliance (CEA), a nonprofit, nonpartisan coalition comprised of 120 affiliates and
more than 180,000 grassroots supporters today launched a multi-state
campaign to educate American consumers on economic and national security
impacts associated with a national Low-Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). If
enacted, national LCFS proposals pending in Congress would threaten American
jobs, increase prices at the pump, and expand U.S. dependence on energy
imports from unstable foreign regimes.
Note the claim of more than 180,000 grassroots supporters. It is unknown how CEA
determined the grassroots number, however according to CEA's 2014 Annual Report
there are 157 Consumer-Business-Agriculture-Industry-Endusers, 6 Academic Groups,
and 92 Energy Providers & Suppliers listed as "Affiliate Members" 32.
Energy 4 Us Coalition Member List 33:
Connecticut Association of Community Pharmacies
Connecticut Energy Marketers Association
Connecticut Food Association
Motor Transport Association of Connecticut
National Association of Neighborhoods
31

Consumer Energy Alliance Launches 'Secure Our Fuels' Campaign to Combat National Low Carbon
Fuel Standard (LCFS) Proposals | PR Newswire http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumerenergy-alliance-launches-secure-our-fuels-campaign-to-combat-national-low-carbon-fuel-standard-lcfsproposals-62103567.html
32
Consumer Energy Alliance 2014 Annual Report |
http://issuu.com/consumerenergyalliance/docs/2014_cea_annual_report_final_highre
33
Energy 4 Us | Who We Are | Coalition Members http://energy4us.org/who-we-are/

National Black Chamber of Commerce

Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Recreational Fishing Alliance
American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers

Energy Voices
Energy Voices is another campaign from Consumer Energy Resources and does state
this on the About page 34:
EnergyVoices.org is a project of Consumer Energy Alliance where you can learn
about communities where unemployment is dropping and small businesses are
growing because of shale energy. EnergyVoices.com features short web stories
of people and communities affected by new discoveries of energy. Shale energy
laying thousands of feet below the ground in Pennsylvania, Colorado, Ohio, and
Texas is driving economic growth, while contributing to an increase in energy
security, a reduction in carbon emissions and lower utility bills.
Energy Voices.org covers real stories from people in Texas, Pennsylvania, Ohio,
Colorado and Louisiana and states:
Consumer Energy Alliance is working in several states telling the story of energy
consumers. 35
There is a link to Energy Voices on
each of the chapter pages located
on the CEA website.
Energy Voices website is registered
to R.C. Hammond Public Affairs.
The founder/owner of R.C.
Hammond Public Affairs is R.C.
Hammond who is also Vice
President of Corporate
Communications for HBW
Resources 36.
For a campaign which touts real
stories by real people there is no
place on the website for real
people to contact them.

34

EnergyVoices | About http://energyvoices.org/wp/about/

EnergyVoices | Home http://energyvoices.org/wp/
36
R.C. Hammond | HBW Resources | LittleSis http://littlesis.org/org/147517/HBW_Resources
35

The Action Kit comprises of encouraging visitors to share on Facebook, Pin It and
Tweet or to sign a petition.
Clicking on Sign the Petition redirects visitors to the Consumer Energy Alliance petition
page 37.
There are currently 4 petitions available to sign:
Take Action to Improve Energy Security and Lower Energy Prices in New York:
Send a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in support of
Dominions New Market Project
Tell Your Lawmaker to Bring Affordable Energy to the Southeast: Send Letters to
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission - 653 Letters Sent
Urge Your Lawmaker to Support Shale Energy: Shale energy will support 3
million jobs by 2020 - 430 Letters Sent
Tell Your Lawmaker it's Time to Build the Keystone XL Pipeline: Finish the Job
and build the Keystone XL Pipeline - 30,459 Letters Sent

37

Petitions | Consumer Energy Alliance http://takeaction.consumerenergyalliance.org/

Consumer Energy Alliance Connections

Revolving Door at HBW Resources

Two of HBW Resources founders have taken a trip through the Government to Private
Sector Revolving Door.
Michael Whately 38:
Former Chief of Staff- Former Sen. Elizabeth Dole
US Dept. of Energy Former Principal Deputy Assistant Director
Former Senate Counsel- Republican Conference
Andrew Browning 39 was a White House appointee to the U.S. Department of Energy
during the Clinton administration.

38

Whatley, Michael D | OpenSecrets.org |

http://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/rev_summary.php?id=71168
39
Browning, Andrew |HBW Resources|http://hbwresources.com/bios/

Other HBW Staffers who have been through the revolving door include and not limited
to 40:
Natasha Bui, Legislative Assistant
Matthew Miller, Director of Government Affairs
Michael Zehr, Vice President of Federal Affairs

Yet Another API Front Group

The American Petroleum Institute (API), is the largest trade association for the oil and
gas industry and is a 501(c)(6). An organization designated as a 501 (c)(6) are not
profit associations which help advance their industry or geographic area. Members
may include individuals and corporations 41.

40

HBW Resources | OpenSecrets.org | Revolving Door |

https://www.opensecrets.org/revolving/search_result.php?priv=HBW+Resources
41
What Is a 501 C (6) Organization? | Chron http://smallbusiness.chron.com/501-c-6-organization60734.html

API is a powerful lobbying, spending an average of $6-7 million per year. It also funds
groups such as Americas for Prosperity and the American Legislative Exchange Council
(ALEC) 42.
The API has become adept at spinning off front groups and cloning them to create the
illusion of wide and diverse public support.
An example of the use of clones is APIs Americas Energy Forum. It states
America's Energy Forum is a non-partisan community of concerned citizens committed
to two goals achieving energy security for our country, and holding our elected
officials more accountable in shaping energy policies. 43
Note the use of the words community of concerned citizens promotes the appearance
grassroots activity at a national level. The Energy Forum also spreads out to 22
individual states 44 with nearly identical websites covering the same issues with the
same talking points.
Other API front groups and websites include Energy Citizens; We are Energy Nation
and Energy Tomorrow.
VETS4ENERGY
In the spirit of flag waving, API via Americas Energy Forum created yet another group
of front groups were created in 2013 and goes by the name Vets4Energy 45. Per API
press release dated July 10, 2013 46:
The Vets4Energy campaign is a non-partisan coalition of citizens committed to
achieving energy security and holding elected officials accountable in shaping
energy policies.
Vets4Energy began by primarily focusing on the Keystone XL Pipeline issue and acted
as a Spokesgroup for API and TransCanada. Later Vets4Energy have increased
activities to include all fossil fuel activities.

42

American Petroleum Institute | Center for Media Democracy - SourceWatch |

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/American_Petroleum_Institute#Oil_Sands_Fact_Check
43
American's Energy Forum | http://www.americasenergyforum.com/about-us/
44
American's Energy Forum | In the States http://www.americasenergyforum.com/in-the-states/
45
API: Vets4Energy promote energy and national security on Capitol Hill | http://www.api.org/news-andmedia/news/newsitems/2013/july-2013/api-vets4energy-promote-energy-and-national-security-on-capitolhill
46
API: Vets4Energy promote energy and national security on Capitol Hill | http://www.api.org/news-andmedia/news/newsitems/2013/july-2013/api-vets4energy-promote-energy-and-national-security-on-capitolhill

The Vets4Energy website footer states Site sponsored by America's Energy Forum .

and is identical to the legalese verbiage on all of Americas Energy Forum websites. As
with Americas Energy Forums structure, Vets4Energy also has state front groups.
Non-Profit Grassroots
Vets4Energy is not listed as a non-profit by the IRS, meaning its not required to file
public tax forms and thus difficult to follow the money.
Retired Rear Adm. Don Loren, Liason and Advisor for Vets4Energy, described his
group as a grassroots organization of veterans who have volunteered to share their
point of view that energy policy and national security are inexorably linked.
However, Loren also acknowledged that his group gets funding from the American
Petroleum Institute, but said it represents an independent voice from veterans who
believe in the issue 47.
CEA Shadow Looms Large
As shown, one representative from CEA brings more than just one industry interest. He
also brings many industry interest along with their influence, power and money.
47

Lee Terry, Keystone XL supporters again push for pipeline's approval | By Joseph Morton, WorldHerald Bureau | http://m.omaha.com/news/lee-terry-keystone-xl-supporters-again-push-for-pipelines/article_5448da4e-b8bf-53c2-9963-95f8faac9762.html?mode=jqm

 2015 by Dory Hippauf