NY Times: Energy Interests Spend Millions for Their Seat at the Climate Table

May 11th, 2010 | Environment | | Leave a comment

The energy sector increased influence spending in the first quarter of 2010, as companies with major interests in climate change and energy legislation lobbied to help shape the Senate bill set to be unveiled this week.

Businesses engaged in influence spending believe that regardless of what policies pass this year, Congress will ultimately reign in carbon emissions through regulation in the future.

Tyson Slocum, director of watchdog group Public Citizen’s Energy Program said, "What’s at stake is the difference between coming out ahead in the climate bill or breaking even or losing.”

READ THIS STORY AT NYT.COM

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Bush Not A Convincing Movie President

July 24th, 2003 | Trento's Take | | Leave a comment
Los Angeles — So, I went to some California producers to pitch turning some PEC stories into films. The way it works is you are ushered into a meeting with the vice president for development and a striking blond, who is always the director of development. There always seems to be a striking blond—male or female. Understand that the film and TV industry is more tradition bound than the U.S. Senate. Another point of Hollywood etiquette: if you like carbonated beverages, don’t pitch movies. All they offer you is bottled water or juice. The meeting always begins with a discussion of how L.A. is now more humid than Washington (it is true), and then you are expected to pitch complicated ideas in about three minutes.

So, I pitch an idea based on real events.

Continue reading Bush Not A Convincing Movie President