Industry spending on lobbying increases, more goes to Democrats

ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and other energy companies have increased the amount they are spending on lobbying this year as Congress crafts new climate and energy legislation.
Devon Energy spent more in the second quarter lobbying lawmakers than it did all of last year, mostly on climate-change and energy proposals, according to a report filed this week with the Senate. "This is a very unusual time in Washington," said Devon spokesman Chip Minty. "It's an extremely challenging environment."
The American Petroleum Institute has increased its spending from $2.3 million in the first six months of 2008 to $3.7 million so far this year. API spokesman Robert Dodge says the increase reflects changes in the "political world" with the new Obama administration and a strengthened Democratic position in Congress.
According to an article by Jeanne Cummings in Politico.com on July 21,
Behind the new API drive is Jack Gerard, who took the helm at API last fall after three years at the American Chemical Council. During his tenure there, Gerard transformed the trade association from a Republican-bent insider's club to a more bipartisan, grass-roots-oriented player.