@ClimateDevLab

Think tank @BrownUniversity providing accessible research for just climate policy & climate denial accountability. Led by @TimmonsRoberts, powered by undergrads

 Providence, Rhode Island, USA
climatedevlab.brown.edu
Joined September 2011
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In our analysis, we found that state and local business associations most commonly argued that pro-climate policies would increase costs or harm the economy, while ignore the costs of inaction and the economic benefits of climate policies.
Figure 3: Most frequent arguments made by business associations against climate action in state legislatures. Level two claims are shown. Claim 4.1 (Climate policies are harmful) is dominated by arguments about how climate policy would increase costs. Percentages are of coded documents that had at least one claim (64 documents).

ALT Figure 3: Most frequent arguments made by business associations against climate action in state legislatures. Level two claims are shown. Claim 4.1 (Climate policies are harmful) is dominated by arguments about how climate policy would increase costs. Percentages are of coded documents that had at least one claim (64 documents).

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Across the 12 states and 200,000+ lobbying and testimony records we analyzed, business associations were the third most actively opposed to environmental groups on energy and climate legislation.
Figure 2: Industries ranked by how likely it is that members of that industry will oppose environmental policy groups' positions on climate and energy bills (top ten industries shown). Electric utilities, oil & gas interests, and business associations were the most likely to show up to oppose environmental groups across states. Figure reproduced from Hall et al. 2024.

ALT Figure 2: Industries ranked by how likely it is that members of that industry will oppose environmental policy groups' positions on climate and energy bills (top ten industries shown). Electric utilities, oil & gas interests, and business associations were the most likely to show up to oppose environmental groups across states. Figure reproduced from Hall et al. 2024.

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Using a network analysis of over 6,000 testimony records, we found that coalitions of large business and fossil fuel groups frequently opposed environmental coalitions, while labor testimony varied based on the union.
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Environmental groups testified most often on climate and energy bills, however presence does not equal power. The IL Manufacturers' Association, the IL Chamber of Commerce, and the IL Municipal League were also among the most frequent testifiers on climate and energy bills.
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Dependence on Natural Gas: Natural gas is the leading source of electricity generation in Colorado. Gas expansion bills pit the oil industry and business groups against environmental organizations.
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Xcel’s Sway: Utilities in Colorado lobby in large numbers on climate and clean energy bills. The state’s largest investor-owned utility, Xcel Energy, was the 4th most-active organization in our dataset, lobbying on more than half the bills.
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Want to explore Nebraska’s lobbying landscape for yourself? Check out howdotheylobby.org, our new tool that allows you to search lobbying/testimony records and coalition networks in Nebraska and 16 other states.
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Want to learn more about the dynamics behind Nebraska's climate and clean energy legislation? The full briefing provides a detailed analysis of lobbying efforts, coalition relationships, and the landscape of energy politics in the state. climatedevlab.brown.edu/post…
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Our research demonstrates the power electric utilities have over energy politics in Nebraska. These are the top ten organizations that most actively lobby on climate and clean energy bills in Nebraska, grouped by coalition. Seven are utilities.
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Who lines up with whom? Using network analysis methods, we visualized the intricate relationships of alliances and conflicts between different coalitions of organizations on climate and clean energy bills. Green bands signal agreement, while red bands showcase opposition.
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