| BUSINESS & LOBBYING THE LOBBY LEAGUE
#11 Clean air/global warming
Each week, The Hill highlights the top lobbyists on a sector-specific basis through conversations with the major players on K Street, congressional staffers and other Washington insiders.
June 23, 2004
Natural Resources Defense Council: David Hawkins, John Walke
Hawkins, a former top clean-air official at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during the Carter administration, “is a freakin’ genius,” according to one industry lobbyist. “Everybody who lobbies from their side studied at the knee of David Hawkins.” Hawkins has been at NRDC since 1971, with a four-year break at EPA.
Walke also worked at EPA, as counsel during the Clinton administration.
Hunton & Williams: Joseph Stanko
A former counsel on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Stanko moved downtown a year ago and quickly established himself as a leading advocate for industry on clean-air issues. He’s deservedly established “a very robust client list,” said one industry source.
The Clean Air Trust: Frank O’Donnell
While O’Donnell isn’t a registered lobbyist, he often sets the debate on clean-air issues through his mass e-mailings. “He is always ahead of the curve,” said one industry lobbyist. The topic yesterday: a recommendation from California air-quality regulators to toughen anti-smog laws. O’Donnell called the move “extremely significant.”
The National Environmental Trust: Philip Clapp
Clapp is president of NET and is quoted frequently in news articles as a representative of environmental advocates. One Senate aide called him a “master coalition-builder.”
Edison Electric Institute: Ed Yawn
When Yawn walks into a room, he does so with the backing of the utility industry. But it’s Yawn’s own style that attracts Hill aides. “He’s someone you can trust,” one aide said.
Valis Associates: Randy Randol
Recently retired from ExxonMobil, where he was senior environmental adviser, Randol now works as a consultant at Valis. “He’s been through the fight for a long time,” a top House Republican aide said. “A walking encyclopedia on Kyoto protocol,” said one industry source.
American Lung Association: Blake Early
Early’s association often adds credence to clean-air issues by stressing the health effects of pollution. Early is “definitely around the small table,” said one industry lobbyist.
Bracewell & Patterson: Scott Segal, Ed Krenik
The two are part of a team of environmental lawyers and lobbyists who represent utilities and other energy companies. Krenik recently was the Bush administration’s lead lobbyist at EPA, and Segal is longtime spokesman for the Electric Reliability Coordinating Council, a utility group.
National Association of Manufacturers: Jeffrey Marks
Marks does a “good job of coalition building,” said an industry lobbyist. NAM is often “one of the first responders” on clean-air issues, and it is Marks who often makes the group’s case on the Hill.
National Petrochemical and Refiners Association: Bob Slaughter
Already on The Hill’s list of top oil/gasoline lobbyists, Slaughter reappears here at the insistence of several industry and Capitol Hill staffers. “Bob is gold-plated,” said one source. “He knows there are two sides to every issue, and he gives you the full brief.”
MWR Strategies: Mike McKenna
McKenna is one of “those guys who seem to know everybody,” said a Senate Republican aide. He gets kudos for helping Hill GOP staffers develop broad strategy goals.
Environmental Defense: Joseph Goffman
A former associate counsel on the Environment and Public Works Committee, Goffman also helped develop a “cap and trade” program credited with reducing acid rain problems while a special assistant at EPA in Bush 41’s administration. “One of the most productive guys from the standpoint of truly exploring consensus opinions,” said one source.
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