Legislators get big money from oil, gas

By Evan Bevins

The Marietta Times

ebevins@mariettatimes.com

Even before "fracking" became a buzzword and drilling in the Marcellus and Utica shales the hope for areas' economic rebirth, the oil and natural gas industry was a big spender in Ohio politics.

Now some are questioning how much influence contributions from people and groups affiliated with the industry, as well as with other groups, have on the officeholders who receive them.

A report issued in November by the nonpartisan, nonprofit group Common Cause says natural gas interests have directed more than $20 million to the campaigns of current members of Congress, including $600,000 to Ohio representatives. In addition, $726 million has been spent on lobbying, which Common Cause claims is aimed at "shielding (the industry) from oversight," particularly in reference to the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking."

The group's website includes data pulled from Ohio campaign finance report records on Ohio General Assembly candidates and those seeking statewide office as well.

Locally, state Rep. Andy Thompson, R-Marietta, received the most, $29,500, from individuals employed by oil and gas businesses or political action committees affiliated with the industry. Former state Sen. Jimmy Stewart, R-Albany, was next with $16,875.

And it wasn't only Republicans on the receiving end, as Thompson's predecessor, Democrat Jennifer Garrison, collected more than $10,000 from oil and gas-related groups and individuals during her six years in the House.

Article PDFs

Gas-Alphabetized

But both Thompson and Garrison said the contributions are reflective of their district, the role the industry plays there and how each of them did their jobs, not influence from a particular corner.

"I have a record that people can look at," Thompson said. "I make the difficult decisions regardless of who gives you money, and in some cases, you have to disappoint the people who supported you."

Thompson said the oil and gas industry has the potential to create a lot of jobs right now, and he's committed to working with the people he represents - whether they support him financially or at the ballot box.

"I don't ask companies when they call me up to work with me if they're Republicans or Democrats," he said. "They're my constituents."

Garrison said that as a representative from southeastern Ohio, she had to understand the issues related to such an important industry.

"I absolutely do not feel that a contribution means I owe someone something," she said. "It was, I believe, because they thought I was doing a good job for my district."

Stewart did not return a call seeking comment.

While many people are singing the praises of fracking - in particular the latest method which allows for horizontal drilling in deep underground shale deposits - as a potential economic windfall, others have raised red flags over its potential impact on the environment. The process involves pumping a mixture of sand, water and chemicals into the ground to break up shale formations and release the trapped oil and gas. Industry officials say it is safe when done properly, but critics say there is not enough oversight.

Garrison said she found it somewhat odd that she was being linked with a report raising concerns about fracking, since the horizontal drilling process did not start in Ohio until after she left office. She noted she's now working with landowners to develop leases for the mineral rights to their property for this deep drilling, and her documents would not be considered "friendly" to the industry.

On the contributors' side, Brian Hickman, government affairs manager and communications director for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association, said the trade association doesn't make contributions to buy influence or votes.

"We're just exercising our freedom of speech," he said. "We don't expect anything. Like any other business or trade association or group, we're just supporting the candidates that support the Ohio oil and gas industry."

The association's political action committee, the Ohio Oil and Gas Producers Fund, made contributions to Garrison; Thompson; Stewart; Sen. Troy Balderson, R-Zanesville, who was appointed to the 20th District Senate seat after Stewart stepped down last year; Stewart's predecessor Joy Padgett, R-Coshocton; and Republican Jill Thompson, who ran for the House seat now held by Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-Athens, in 2008.

In addition, Ohio Oil and Gas Association Executive Vice President Thomas Stewart also contributed to some of those candidates personally.

Phillips was not listed as having received any natural gas-related contributions. She did not return a call seeking comment.

Thompson said he's proud of the contributions he's received and noted his donors and those of other candidates can be reviewed by the public on the Ohio Secretary of State's website. He said he receives campaign contributions from other industries and groups and his opponents do, too.

For example, in 2010, Thompson's opponent, Democrat Linda Secrest, received nearly $38,000 from union-affiliated groups and political action committees.

Fleming resident Mike White, 59, said he doesn't know how much influence a campaign contribution might have on an officeholder.

"In this case, how do you measure it?" he said. "I don't know. I've never been in public office."

Cutler-area resident Peggy Heater, 66, said she believes contributions do affect how officeholders vote.

"I just think they would be influenced by the money," she said.

White said it's also hard to know for sure the intention of someone making a contribution. And he pointed out that other interests are making donations too.

"It's business as usual. That's the way the system seems to be set up," he said. "We still have a great political system compared to other countries."

As for the allegation that Ohio's leaders are being paid to give the oil and gas industry a free pass, Thompson said he believes the state is being responsible in dealing with fracking. He noted the state has been praised in some circles for the passage of Senate Bill 165 to address issues related to the industry.

Gov. John Kasich, the top recipient of energy company campaign contributions, has taken some flak in recent weeks for his proposal of "impact fees" for the industry to pay for repairs to property and the environment. And Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said when the governor sent letters last year to energy companies inviting them to do business with Ohio, he informed them the state would be "watching them like a hawk" to make sure they played by the rules.

"We are working to develop an appropriate and adequate regulatory structure, one that allows this industry to be here for generations, but places public health and safety as the paramount (concern)," Nichols said.

Kasich's two predecessors, Democrat Ted Strickland and Republican Bob Taft, received five-figure contributions from the industry since 2002, according to Common Cause's report.