There is one point that is being left out of the discussion. Efficient Buildings use less Energy. It does not matter if the Building is a Residential or Commercial Building. If you add energy efficient improvements to your Structure you will save energy and your Utility Bills/Costs will be lower.
- For Example: if your home has $300 of Utility Bills every month. Energy Efficient measures for your Property will save you 10-40% per month or $30-$120 per month in Reduction on your Utility Costs.
- When I talk with people about installing Solar Photovoltaic Systems to generate their own Clean Energy and how to reduce the over-all costs of a system. I point out that: Energy Efficient Home Uses Less Electricity. If a Home-Owner can reduce the Electrical needs for their property- a smaller photovoltaic system will be needed. This reduction from energy needed translates to Thousands of Dollars-Scotty
So what is the big deal and why aren't more people aware of this Avenue of Energy Saving Ideas? I feel its mainly because of the Political Pay-Offs from Lobbying Organizations that our Elected Officials receive. How can I assume these: Political Pay-Offs are influencing the Elected Officials? The numbers don't lie (here are stats on money received from lobbying organizations that are Politicians are receiving) The information is available for your personal re-search at:
- OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Whether you’re a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen, use our free site to shine light on your government. Count cash and make change.
Oil and Gas
This industry, which includes multinational and independent oil and gas producers and refiners, natural gas pipeline companies, gasoline service stations and fuel oil dealers, has long enjoyed a history of strong influence in Washington. Individuals and political action committees affiliated with oil and gas companies have donated $238.7 million to candidates and parties since the 1990 election cycle, 75 percent of which has gone to Republicans.Though former oilmen George W. Bush and Dick Cheney occupied the White House for eight years, the oil and gas industry could not win support for repealing bans on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, Congress voted in 2008 to lift a ban on offshore drilling. These companies are also wary of cap-and-trade climate change legislation, such as the measure Democratic President Barack Obama supports. Yet Obama still received $884,000 from the oil and gas industry during the 2008 campaign, more than any other lawmaker except his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). [Read more Background]
Top Contributors, 2009-2010
Contributor Amount Koch Industries $1,931,562
Exxon Mobil Chief Oil & Gas Chevron Corp Marathon Oil Valero Energy Occidental Petroleum Devon Energy Williams Companies Chesapeake Energy ConocoPhillips Independent Petroleum Assn of America Anadarko Petroleum American Gas Assn Halliburton Co Pilot Corp Tesoro Petroleum Society of Indep Gasoline Marketers Bass Brothers Enterprises Petroleum Marketers Assn
Top Lobbying Clients, 2010
Client/Parent Total ConocoPhillips $19,626,382
Chevron Corp Exxon Mobil Royal Dutch Shell Koch Industries
Top Recipients, 2009-2010
| Candidate | Office | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, Blanche (D-AR) | Senate |  $423,900 |
| Vitter, David (R-LA) | Senate | $350,950 |
| Blunt, Roy (R-MO) | House | $300,300 |
| Murkowski, Lisa (I-AK) | Senate | $284,026 |
| Portman, Rob (R-OH) | $279,208 |
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Election Cycle Rank† Total Contributions Contributions from Individuals Contributions from PACs Soft/Outside Money Donations to Democrats Donations to Republicans % to Dems % to Repubs 2010 15 $27,982,434 $14,900,364 $11,262,563 $1,819,507 $5,972,533 $19,980,469 23% 77% 2008 16 $36,057,054 $25,836,958 $10,100,704 $119,392 $8,193,715 $27,845,209 23% 77% 2006 14 $20,651,556 $12,301,447 $8,283,109 $67,000 $3,695,486 $16,866,466 18% 82% 2004 16 $26,149,039 $19,009,541 $7,114,248 $25,250 $5,105,150 $21,020,024 20% 80% 2002 13 $25,097,266 $8,548,319 $6,450,281 $10,098,666 $5,042,530 $20,044,841 20% 80% 2000 10 $34,383,697 $11,364,404 $6,928,043 $16,091,250 $7,059,356 $26,815,322 21% 79% 1998 8 $21,631,044 $6,351,053 $6,767,892 $8,512,099 $5,044,405 $16,506,042 23% 77% 1996 7 $26,071,855 $9,673,772 $6,539,583 $9,858,500 $5,968,180 $19,677,378 23% 77% 1994 7 $17,760,108 $6,743,117 $6,492,029 $4,524,962 $6,663,777 $11,074,886 38% 62% 1992 7 $20,544,645 $8,799,522 $6,462,523 $5,282,600 $6,912,722 $13,448,820 34% 66% 1990 8 $10,930,603 $4,848,379 $6,082,224 $0 $4,171,365 $6,758,938 38% 62% Total 11 $267,277,036 $128,394,611 $82,483,199 $56,399,226 $63,830,019 $200,055,330 24% 76% †These numbers show how the industry ranks in total campaign giving as compared to more than 80 other industries. Rankings are shown only for industries (such as the Automotive industry) -- not for widely encompassing "sectors" (such as Transportation) or more detailed "categories" (like car dealers).
METHODOLOGY: The numbers on this page are based on contributions of $200 or more from PACs and individuals to federal candidates and from PACs, soft money (including directly from corporate and union treasuries) and individual donors to political parties and outside spending groups, as reported to the Federal Election Commission. "Donations to Democrats," "Donations to Republicans," and the associated percentages are based solely on contributions to candidates and parties. Independent expenditures and electioneering communications are not reflected in the breakdown by party." While election cycles are shown in charts as 1996, 1998, 2000 etc. they actually represent two-year periods. For example, the 2002 election cycle runs from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002.
Data for the current election cycle were released by the Federal Election Commission on Monday, February 07, 2011.
NOTE: Soft money contributions to the national parties were not publicly disclosed until the 1991-92 election cycle, and were banned by the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act following the 2002 elections. Contributions to Outside Spending groups legalized by the 2010 Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission Supreme Court decision are listed in the "Soft/Outside Money" column as are donations of "Levin" funds to state and local party committees. Levin funds were created by the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics.Dems:
Repubs:
Others:
All Candidates: $19,782,249
Incumbents Only: House # of Members Average Contribution Total Contributions Democrats 208 $13,096 $2,724,102 Republicans 174 $33,760 $5,874,368 Independents 0 $0 $0 TOTAL 382 $22,509 $8,598,470 The US House of Representatives has 435 members and 5 non-voting delegates.
Totals may exceed 440 due to mid-term replacements.Senate # of Members Average Contribution Total Contributions Democrats 51 $34,085 $1,738,381 Republicans 35 $56,919 $1,992,176 Independents 3 $95,425 $286,276 TOTAL 89 $45,133 $4,016,833 The US Senate has 100 members.
Totals may exceed 100 due to mid-term replacements.The numbers on this page are based on contributions from PACs and individuals giving $200 or more.
Join us on:With Leaders like this in Washington its no wonder the USA is in economic turmoil.
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