ExxonSecrets Factsheet: Competitive Enterprise Institute

FACTSHEET: Competitive Enterprise Institute, CEI

DETAILS

1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 1250 Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-547-1010
Fax: 202-546-7757

Founded in 1984, CEI is a Washington - based conservative think tank "whose research on public policy reflects the principles of free enterprise, individual liberty and limited government." CEI is at the center of the global warming misinformation campaign.

CEI has tackled tough and contentious scientific issues such as global warming, carbon dioxide and fuel-economy standards, most recently expanding into the politics of food. It has become the go-to think tank in the fight against excessive federal government regulations, supporters say. (Beyond the Theories: Think Tank Debunks Popular Myths; Audrey Hudson, May 18, 2004, Washington Times)

The organization mixes free-market ideas with the antiregulation and environmental movements, but unlike most institutes that are content just to think and speak, the CEI does not shy away from forcing action through the courts or the legislative process.

CEI, among many other statements denying the seriousness of global warming, has argued that climate change would create a "milder, greener, more prosperous world" and that "Kyoto was a power grab based on deception and fear" (R. Brunet, "It Just Ain't So, Say These Reputable Scientists" Alberta Report, 10 November, v.24(48) 1997 p20-21). In addition to leading the campaign to convince the public that global warming is uncertain, CEI has weighed in on pesticide risk and endocrine disrupting chemicals - both of which pose no threat to human health, in CEI's view - and has supported regulatory "takings" measures.

CEI supports eventual elimination of the Superfund and has advocated the complete privatization of the Endangered Species Act, arguing that species protection would meet the level of "demand," based on how much citizens are willing to pay for habitat preservation (CLEAR fact sheet). CEI has a long anti-environmental pedigree. CEI is a member of the State Policy Network and the Cooler Heads Coalition. CEI was a sponsor of the first Wise Use conference in 1988 and has had membership in the Get Government Off Our Backs coalition, the wise use umbrella group. CEI is also a network member of The Heritage Foundation, Alliance for America, and the anti-Endangered Species Act group, Grassroots ESA Coalition. CEI was also a co-sponsor of the 1998 NY State Property Rights Conference.

With more than a $3 million annual budget, CEI is supported by both conservative foundations and corporate funding. Known corporate funders in addition to ExxonMobil include the American Petroleum Institute, Cigna Corporation, Dow Chemical, EBCO Corp, General Motors, and IBM. One of CEI's prominent funders is conservative Richard Scaife who has provided money through the Carthage and Sara Scaife Foundations. CEI is also heavily supported by the various Koch brother foundations. (http://www.disinfopedia.org/wiki.phtml?title=Competitive_Enterprise_Institute)

KEY PEOPLE

PEOPLE

SOURCES

CEI website, 3/04
http://www.cei.org

CEI website, 3/04
http://www.cei.org

EWG Clean Air Policy Background Analysis 2/12/1997

EWG Clean Air Policy Background Analysis 2/12/1997

"Earth Last," The American Prospect, 5/7/04
article by Chris Mooney
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7603

"Earth Last," The American Prospect, 5/7/04
article by Chris Mooney
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewPrint&articleId=7603

"McDonalds Fuels Films Battle," UPI, April 13, 2004
McDonalds Fuels Films Battle; Julia Watson
http://www.upi.com

"McDonalds Fuels Films Battle," UPI, April 13, 2004
McDonalds Fuels Films Battle; Julia Watson
http://www.upi.com

CEI website, various
http://www.cei.org

CEI website, various
http://www.cei.org

CEI Website 5-2006
CEI Website
http://www.cei.org

CEI Website 5-2006
CEI Website
http://www.cei.org

CEI Website (2006)
http://www.cei.org/dyn/view_expert.cfm?expert=101

CEI Website (2006)
http://www.cei.org/dyn/view_expert.cfm?expert=101

Amicus brief written by Competitive Enterprise Institute
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, et al., Petitioners, v. U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, et al., Respondents. On Writ of Certiorari to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit AMICI CURIAE BRIEF OF CLIMATOLOGISTS AND SCIENTISTS SALLIE BALIUNAS, JOHN R. CHRISTY, CHRIS DE FREITAS, DAVID LEGATES, ANTHONY LUPO, PATRICK MICHAELS, JOEL SCHWARTZ, AND ROY W. SPENCER IN SUPPORT OF RESPONDENTS SAM KAZMAN* HANS BADER CHRISTOPHER C. HORNER COMPETITIVE ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE 1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, #1250 Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 331-2265 *Counsel of Record
http://www.cei.org/pdf/5572.pdf

Bjorn gets Julian Simon Award from CEI
photo of Lomborg receiving award from Fred Smith of CEI and widow of Julian Simon
http://www.cei.org/2003dinner/pages/CEI012.htm

CEI website (2007)
http://www.cei.org/dyn/view_expert.cfm?expert=261

Manhattan Institute website 2007
http://www.manhattan-institute.org/

CEI memo, Ebell to Cooney (08/03/02)
Email memo from Myron Ebell (CEI) to Phil Cooney (White House CEQ), August 3, 2002.
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/assets/binaries/ceimemo.swf

CDFE website 2007
http://www.cdfe.org/staff.htm

CEI news release 05/12/04
http://www.cei.org/gencon/003,04017.cfm

Hoover Institute
http://www.hoover.org/bios/moore.html