FACTSHEET: ALEC - American Legislative Exchange Council, ALEC
DETAILS
1129 20th St. NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-466-3800
Fax: 202-466-3801
ALEC provides state legisators with model legislation, including a continuing program trying to discredit state level legislation aimed at providing incentives to cut global warming pollution. Funded by conservative foundations and corporate grants, ALEC is a pivotal player between state and federal right-wing think tanks.
ALEC was founded in 1973 by Paul Weyrich, and is affiliated with the ALEC Foundation. ALEC maintains 15 task forces, including one targeting environmental issues.
ALEC has developed over 150 pieces of model legislation. Past and present membership includes 3,000 state legislators, 12 sitting governors, and 80 members of Congress. They also have at least 300 corporate members that pay annual membership fees. ALEC boasts that its Annual Meeting is "the largest gathering of conservatives held each year." Its 2003 Annual Meeting was attended by representatives of the CATO Institute, the US Sportsman's Alliance, Evergreen Freedom Foundation, Competitive Enterprise Institute, American Enterprise Institute, and the Heritage Foundation. Speakers included Vice President Dick Cheney, Tom Ridge, and David Horowitz.
ALEC is firmly opposed to the Kyoto protocol. Its 2002 Annual Report summarized, "though it is still unclear whether global warming is occurring or, even if it is occurring, whether it would have a major impact on our climate, environmental activists are pushing the states and our economy towards an energy starvation diet" (p.21). Domestically it says it has to "guard against proposed back-door Kyoto Protocol" regulations that would significantly increase energy costs but yield negligible environmental benefits (p.4).
ALEC is a former member of the Cooler Heads Coalition and a current member of the State Policy Network.
KEY QUOTES
21 January, 2004
"Like Mark Twain, the reports of Kyoto's death in this country have been greatly exaggerated...Carbon dioxide, the inescapable by-product of burning fossil fuels, is beneficial to plant and human life alike. The effort to regulate it as a greenhouse gas is an attempt to tax energy. Losing fuel diversity can only be harmful to our economy and ultimately the environment itself."
"States should reject every form of Kyoto legislation for the very same reasons as our leaders in Washington, D.C...The Kyoto Protocol is just another highly regressive energy tax on America's working families, with no measurable benefit to environmental or human health."
Source: ALEC website - Sons of Kyoto
21 January, 2004
"Carbon dioxide, the inescapable by-product of burning fossil fuels, is beneficial to plant and human life alike. The effort to regulate it as a greenhouse gas is an attempt to tax energy."
Source: sons-of-kyoto legislation, ALEC press release, 1/21/04
21 January, 2004
"Like Mark Twain, the reports of Kyoto's death in this country have been greatly exaggerated...Carbon dioxide, the inescapable by-product of burning fossil fuels, is beneficial to plant and human life alike. The effort to regulate it as a greenhouse gas is an attempt to tax energy. Losing fuel diversity can only be harmful to our economy and ultimately the environment itself."
"States should reject every form of Kyoto legislation for the very same reasons as our leaders in Washington, D.C...The Kyoto Protocol is just another highly regressive energy tax on America's working families, with no measurable benefit to environmental or human health."
Source: ALEC website - Sons of Kyoto
21 January, 2004
"Carbon dioxide, the inescapable by-product of burning fossil fuels, is beneficial to plant and human life alike. The effort to regulate it as a greenhouse gas is an attempt to tax energy."
Source: sons-of-kyoto legislation, ALEC press release, 1/21/04
QUOTES
"Climate change policy and global warming have become the new mantra for environmentalists and non-governmental organizations in their quest to redistribute international and domestic wealth."
Source: American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Report, 2002
16 February, 2005
“The United States has categorically refused to ratify the treaty because of the enormous economic harm that it would cause through increased energy prices with little environmental benefit. The United States depends on fossil fuels to meet over 85% of its energy needs. There are no other sources that can even begin to meet future energy demand, let alone replace fossil fuels.”
Source: ALEC Press Release 2-16-05
"Climate change policy and global warming have become the new mantra for environmentalists and non-governmental organizations in their quest to redistribute international and domestic wealth."
Source: American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Report, 2002
16 February, 2005
“The United States has categorically refused to ratify the treaty because of the enormous economic harm that it would cause through increased energy prices with little environmental benefit. The United States depends on fossil fuels to meet over 85% of its energy needs. There are no other sources that can even begin to meet future energy demand, let alone replace fossil fuels.”
Source: ALEC Press Release 2-16-05
KEY DEEDS
Worked with the U.S. Sportsman's Alliance to create the "Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act," their model legislation that would criminalize virtually all types of environmental- or animal-rights-related advocacy. In early 2003, versions of the Act were proposed in the Texas and New York legislatures.
Source: "Environmentalists = Terrorists: The New Math," Tom Paine, 5/8/2003
13 May, 1996
Supported legislation in Oklahoma that would grant "priviledged immunity" to companies that report problems to environmental agencies. Audits relating to these problems would then be kept from the public.
Source: "Environmental Audit Immunity Delayed," Daily Oklahoman, 5/14/96
21 January, 2004
Launched attack on "Son of Kyoto" legislation across the country. Press release subtitiled "States React to the Myth of Global Warming" Project includes maps of states with Greenhouse Gas Legislation, Renewable Portfolio Standards and Carbon Sequestration incentives.
Source: sons-of-kyoto legislation, ALEC press release, 1/21/04
Released the report "Global Warming and the Kyoto Protocol: Paper Tiger, Economic Dragon" written by climate sceptic, Patrick J. Michaels from the Cato Institute. ALEC 2002 Spring Task Force Summit in Las Vegas.
Source: American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Report, 2002
Worked with the U.S. Sportsman's Alliance to create the "Animal and Ecological Terrorism Act," their model legislation that would criminalize virtually all types of environmental- or animal-rights-related advocacy. In early 2003, versions of the Act were proposed in the Texas and New York legislatures.
Source: "Environmentalists = Terrorists: The New Math," Tom Paine, 5/8/2003
13 May, 1996
Supported legislation in Oklahoma that would grant "priviledged immunity" to companies that report problems to environmental agencies. Audits relating to these problems would then be kept from the public.
Source: "Environmental Audit Immunity Delayed," Daily Oklahoman, 5/14/96
21 January, 2004
Launched attack on "Son of Kyoto" legislation across the country. Press release subtitiled "States React to the Myth of Global Warming" Project includes maps of states with Greenhouse Gas Legislation, Renewable Portfolio Standards and Carbon Sequestration incentives.
Source: sons-of-kyoto legislation, ALEC press release, 1/21/04
Released the report "Global Warming and the Kyoto Protocol: Paper Tiger, Economic Dragon" written by climate sceptic, Patrick J. Michaels from the Cato Institute. ALEC 2002 Spring Task Force Summit in Las Vegas.
Source: American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Report, 2002
FUNDING
ALEC - American Legislative Exchange Council has received $1,306,700 from ExxonMobil since 1998.
1992
$unknown Exxon Corporation
Source: ALEC literature, 1992
1992
$unknown Mobil Corporation
Source: ALEC literature, 1992
1998
$15,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
conference for freshman legislators
Source: Exxon Education Foundation Dimensions 1998 report
2000
$70,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
general support
Source: ExxonMobil Foundation 2000 IRS 990
2001
$10,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
Source: ExxonMobil 2001 Worldwide Giving Report
2001
$70,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
Source: ExxonMobil 2001 Worldwide Giving Report
2002
$163,200 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
50K conference, 80K general support, 5K membership, 25K project support, 3,200 'other'
Source: ExxonMobil 2002 Worldwide Giving Report
2002
$30,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
general operating support
Source: ExxonMobil 2002 Worldwide Giving Report
2003
$78,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
Annual Conference
Source: ExxonMobil 2003 Worldwide Giving Report
2003
$50,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
Energy and Climate Change
Source: ExxonMobil 2003 Worldwide Giving Report
2003
$100,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
General Operating Support
Source: ExxonMobil 2003 Worldwide Giving Report
2003
$140,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
Global Climate Change
Source: ExxonMobil 2003 Worldwide Giving Report
2004
$55,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
Annual Conference
Source: ExxonMobil 2004 Worldwide Giving Report
2004
$62,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
Energy and Climate Change
Source: ExxonMobil 2004 Worldwide Giving Report
2004
$75,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
Climate Change
Source: ExxonMobil 2004 Worldwide Giving Report
2004
$30,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
General Operating Support
Source: ExxonMobil 2004 Worldwide Giving Report
2005
$151,500 ExxonMobil Foundation
DISCREPANCY: 2005 Giving Report: $151,000 for: Energy Sustainability Project (80,000), General Operating Support (71,500). iRS 990 2005: Energy Sustainability Project (Climate Change)($80,000); Climate Change Environmental Outreach ($21,500)
Source: ExxonMobil 2005 Worldwide Giving Report
2005
$90,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
Annual Conference
Source: ExxonMobil 2005 Worldwide Giving Report
2006
$15,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
Annual meeting host committee sponsorship
Source: ExxonMobil 2006 Worldwide Giving Report
2006
$31,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
Annual meetings sponsorship
Source: ExxonMobil 2006 Worldwide Giving Report
2006
$10,000 ExxonMobil Corporate Giving
general support
Source: ExxonMobil 2006 Worldwide Giving Report
2006
$30,000 ExxonMobil Foundation
none given
Source: ExxonMobil 2006 Worldwide Giving Report
2007
$31000 ExxonMobil Foundation
Source: ExxonMobil 2007 Worldwide Giving Report
KEY PEOPLE
Jonathan Shore
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Lori Roman
Executive Director
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Daniel Simmons
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Michael Leavitt
1997 Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award Recipient
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Sen. George Allen
Thomas Jefferson Scholar; 1997 Thomas Jefferson Freedom Award Recipient
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Patrick J. Michaels
Advisor
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Duane Parde
former Executive Director
Source: ALEC announces new Executive Director Jan 2006
PEOPLE
Susan Wagle
Chairman, National Board of Directors
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Patrick Engel
Treasurer, Board of Directors
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Earl Ehrhart
Immediate Past Chair
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Delores Mertz
First Vice Chair, National Board of Directors
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Steve Faris
Second Vice Chair of Board of Directors
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Kurt L. Malmgren
Chairman, Private Enterprise Board
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Jerry Watson
First Vice Chair, Private Enterprise Board
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Scott Fisher
Second Vice Chair, Private Enterprise Board
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Pete Poynter
Treasurer, Private Enterprise Board
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Michael K. Morgan
Immediate Past Chairman, Private Enterprise Board
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Allan E. Auger
Chairman Emeritus, Private Enterprise Board
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Ronald F. Scheberle
Chairman Emeritus, Private Enterprise Board
Source: ALEC website 3/04
Michael Keegan
Director of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force andDirector of the Commerce, Insurance and Economic Development Task Force
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Christie Herrera
Director of Health and Human Services Task Force
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Lori Drummer
Director of Education Task Force
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Kristin Armshaw
Senior Task Force Director, Director of Civil Justice Task Force
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Michael Bowman
Senior Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Samuel A. Brunelli
former Executive Director
Source: ALEC website 3/04
William R. Howell
Secretary, Board of Directors
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Lily Pascucci
Legislative Assistant to the Health and Human Services, and the Telecommunications and Information Technology Task Forces
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Andrew Schauder
Director of Federal Affairs
Source: ALEC Website 5-06
Nick Nichols
Featured Speaker
Source: CDFE website 2007
SOURCES
ExxonMobil 2001 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4388
ExxonMobil 2001 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4388
ExxonMobil 2002 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4386
ExxonMobil 2002 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4386
ExxonMobil Foundation 2000 IRS 990
ExxonMobil Foundation 2000 IRS 990
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4390
ExxonMobil Foundation 2000 IRS 990
ExxonMobil Foundation 2000 IRS 990
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4390
Exxon Education Foundation Dimensions 1998 report
Exxon Dimensions report 1998- Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4385
Exxon Education Foundation Dimensions 1998 report
Exxon Dimensions report 1998- Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4385
ALEC literature, 1992
ALEC literature, 1992
ALEC literature, 1992
ALEC literature, 1992
ALEC website 3/04
http://www.alec.org
ALEC website 3/04
http://www.alec.org
sons-of-kyoto legislation, ALEC press release, 1/21/04
Subhead: States React to the Myth of Global Warming
sons-of-kyoto legislation, ALEC press release, 1/21/04
Subhead: States React to the Myth of Global Warming
"Environmentalists = Terrorists: The New Math," Tom Paine, 5/8/2003
article by Karen Charman for Tom Paine Magazine
http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/7748
"Environmentalists = Terrorists: The New Math," Tom Paine, 5/8/2003
article by Karen Charman for Tom Paine Magazine
http://www.tompaine.com/feature2.cfm/ID/7748
"Environmental Audit Immunity Delayed," Daily Oklahoman, 5/14/96
Article by Mick Hinton
"Environmental Audit Immunity Delayed," Daily Oklahoman, 5/14/96
Article by Mick Hinton
ALEC website - Sons of Kyoto
American Legislative Exchange Council website updated January 2004
http://www.alec.org/viewpage.cfm?id=2488&versid=3188&xsectionid=102&dosrch=1
ALEC website - Sons of Kyoto
American Legislative Exchange Council website updated January 2004
http://www.alec.org/viewpage.cfm?id=2488&versid=3188&xsectionid=102&dosrch=1
ExxonMobil 2003 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4389
ExxonMobil 2003 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4389
American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Report, 2002
ALEC's anual report.
http://www.alec.org/meSWFiles/pdf/2002_Annual_report.pdf
American Legislative Exchange Council Annual Report, 2002
ALEC's anual report.
http://www.alec.org/meSWFiles/pdf/2002_Annual_report.pdf
ExxonMobil 2004 Worldwide Giving Report
2004 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4380
ExxonMobil 2004 Worldwide Giving Report
2004 Worldwide Contributions and Community Investments
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4380
ALEC Website 5-06
http://www.alec.org/about
ALEC Website 5-06
http://www.alec.org/about
ALEC Press Release 2-16-05
http://http://www.alec.org/news/press-releases/press-releases-2005/february/alec-applauds-the-united-states-for-staying-out-of-kyotoschool-choice-legislation.html
ALEC Press Release 2-16-05
http://http://www.alec.org/news/press-releases/press-releases-2005/february/alec-applauds-the-united-states-for-staying-out-of-kyotoschool-choice-legislation.html
ExxonMobil 2005 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4387
ExxonMobil 2005 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4387
ALEC announces new Executive Director Jan 2006
press release
http://www.alec.org/news/press-releases/press-releases-2006/january/new-executive-director.html
CDFE website 2007
http://www.cdfe.org/staff.htm
ExxonMobil 2006 Worldwide Giving Report
Public Information and Policy Research
downloaded from Exxon website
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=view&d=4381
ExxonMobil 2007 Worldwide Giving Report
http://research.greenpeaceusa.org/?a=download&d=4586