Now that the major oil companies have been forced by public scorn to back away from their overt denial of global warming, they’re hiring the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to take up the cause.
The Chamber has announced its “Institute for Energy Security, Competitiveness and American Jobs,” to be headed by former Marine Gen. George Jones. The Washington Post and public radio’s Marketplace show report that it will be funded with $20 million from oil companies, the auto industry and utility companies. Its mission, then, will be to prevent Congress and regulators from doing anything to battle global warming that might regulate, block or change the behavior of oil companies, the auto industry and utilities. With a general in charge, every foot-dragging position can be defended in the name of national security.
As a bonus, a nonprofit institute can also be used to funnel industry money into Jack Abramoff-style luxury junkets for lawmakers and staff. However, if the institute sends out invites to an “educational event” on energy policy that takes place over three days at a golf resort, the invitees should recall how the Abramoff model tarnished the last Congress.