Greenpeace Analysis Sheds Light on Chemical Lobby:

INDUSTRY HAD 3 TIMES AS MUCH $$ FOR LOBBYING
AS DHS SPENT ON CHEMICAL SECURITY

As real chemical security standards languish, a Greenpeace analysis of 2006 lobbying records today identified 215 industry lobbyists that spent an estimated $16.4 million – and possibly as much as $74.5 million – to defeat strong chemical plant security legislation.  That is more than the $10 million the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spent on chemical security for the entire fiscal year of 2007 or the $25 million requested for chemical security by DHS for fiscal 2008.

The estimated range of $16.4 to $74.5 million available for chemical security lobbying represents 11 to 50 percent of the total reported lobbying expenditures of chemical industry and allied groups in 2006. This lobbying campaign successfully killed comprehensive chemical security legislation last year.  The weak law in its place doesn’t cover 3,000 water facilities using some of the most dangerous airborne chemicals, and doesn’t give DHS the authority to mandate safer technologies that could virtually eliminate the threat.

Greenpeace investigators worked from internal documents, public statements, testimony, news releases, industry lobby letters and emails, Freedom of Information Act document requests and web site postings by major chemical industry trade associations. They identified lobbyists representing 13 trade associations including the American Chemistry Council (ACC), American Petroleum Institute (API), U.S. Chamber of Commerce (including CEO Thomas Donahue) and Edison Electric Institute (EEI); their member companies such as Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil and Halliburton; and 13 lobby firms such as Akin Gump and Holland & Knight.

To read the full analysis, view related documents and learn more about the investigation, click here.

To view other supporting documents related to this investigation, click here.

You may also browse through the “Chemical Security” category on the left to view and download other investigative files related to Greenpeace’s work to protect the public from environmental risks related to chemical storage and transport.

For more information on Chemical Security Legislation go to Congresspedia.

For press related inquiries please contact Jane Kochersperger at (202) 319-2493.