Dive Brief:
- Fossil fuel interests including utilities spent $3.1 million this year, through October, on issues and candidates leading up to next week's election, Midwest Energy News reports.
- Midwest Energy News (MEN) analyzed data from National Institute on Money in State Politics to illustrate the level of interest in Ohio policy this year. By comparison, however, alternative energy and environmental groups gave just over $100,000.
- FirstEnergy ranked fourth on the list of overall Ohio contributors. AEP ranked 16th, according to MEN.
Dive Insight:
With high stakes energy issues on ballots around the country, lobbying interests have spent millions in this election cycle. As Utility Dive reported this week, the Center for Responsive Politics says electric utility companies contributed $25.3 million to candidates and outside political groups across the country, ranking 34th among all U.S. industries.
In Ohio, FirstEnergy has given almost $500,000 and AEP and NiSource contributed more than $200,000. The Ohio Oil & Gas Association and Ohio Coal Association each gave more than $50,000. Stakes are higher this year as debates swirl over unfreezing the state's energy efficiency and renewable energy standards, as well as the Clean Power Plan compliance. AEP is also pushing for partial re-regulation of Ohio's energy markets following its failed bid to guarantee income for some of its aging fleet.
In Florida, utilities are pouring money into a ballot initiative battle that could determine the state's solar policy for years to come. Florida Power & Light gave at least $2 million to the political action committee supporting its interests, while Duke gave $1 million—in addition to the $11 million they'd previously ponied up for the fight.
Political funding has been particularly contentious in Arizona, where Arizona Public Service was previously accused of secretly funneling money to pro-utility candidates in past elections. Donations nearing $5 million from installer Solar City prompted APS parent Pinnacle West to fund its own political action committee with $1 million for advocacy this cycle.
At the Presidential level, donations from the utility sector have heavily favored Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. She received the most money of any candidate in the 2016 cycle, with nearly $458,000 contributed to her cause by utilities. GOP candidate Donald Trump, however, did not break into the top 20 recipients from the utility industry.
