From the Webb campaign, "A 96th Fact That George Allen Doesn+óGé¼Gäót Want Virginians to Know About His Record"
Gucci Gulch, Washington, DC +óGé¼GÇ£ George Felix Allen routinely tells Virginia audiences one reason they should vote for him is that they +óGé¼+ôknow+óGé¼-¥ him.Really?
Do they know of George Allen+óGé¼Gäós long and sordid, cozy and personally profitable relationship with energy companies, at the expense of consumers?
Let+óGé¼Gäós tell them.
In 2003, on the heels of the Enron scandal wherein electricity and natural gas trader Enron Corporation was caught manipulating energy markets (and draining employee pension funds by the way), Congress twice attempted to prevent future manipulation which causes higher energy prices to consumers, by offering legislation to control the practices.
And George Allen sided with consumers right? Please+óGé¼-ª
+óGé¼+ôWhen Sen. Maria Cantwell offered legislation in July 2003 to allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to revoke a company+óGé¼Gäós ability to sell power if it found that the company had knowingly tried to manipulate energy markets, George Allen resolutely sided with energy interests and against consumers,+óGé¼-¥ Jim Webb spokesman, Steve Jarding said.[1]
+óGé¼+ôWhen Sen. Diane Feinstein offered legislation in November 2003, to allow FERC greater oversight of energy company practices including repeal of the so-called +óGé¼-£Enron Exemption,+óGé¼Gäó which had eliminated federal oversight of energy-related commodity transactions, George Allen boldly sided with energy interests and against consumers,+óGé¼-¥ Jarding said.[2]
+óGé¼+ôThese were consumer protection amendments. They were calling for more scrutiny and fairness from companies like Enron who had been abusing the system and soaking consumers. If George Allen had really been looking out for the interests of working people in Virginia, these votes would have been no brainers.
+óGé¼+ôBut George Allen wasn+óGé¼Gäót looking after the interests of Virginians. He was looking out for the special interests who were lining his pockets with campaign cash. Apparently, $800,000 in campaign contributions including $7,000 from disgraced Enron, buys a lot of sympathy and influence +óGé¼GÇ£ but it doesn+óGé¼Gäót do much for Allen+óGé¼Gäós beleaguered constituents. Senator, it doesn+óGé¼Gäót seem that Virginians know all they need to know about how you have sold out to special interests during your time in Washington,+óGé¼-¥ Jarding said.[3]
[1] Allen voted against the Cantwell, D-Wash., amendment to the Domenici, R-N.M., amendment. The Cantwell amendment would prohibit manipulative practices in energy markets. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) would be able to revoke a company+óGé¼Gäós ability to sell power if the commission has found that the company has knowingly tried to manipulate energy markets. [Vote 311, S 14, 7/30/03, Failed 48-50 D 43-3 R 4-47 I 1-0][2] Allen voted against the Feinstein, et al., amendment which requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to promulgate regulations establishing an electronic information system to facilitate price transparency and participation in markets subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission. It also repeals the +óGé¼+ôEnron+óGé¼-¥ exemption for large traders in energy derivatives and applies the anti-manipulation and anti-fraud provisions of the Commodity Exchange Act to all over-the-counter trades in energy derivatives; and provides an exception for financial derivatives and metals. [Vote 436, HR 2673, 11/5/03, Failed 41-56 D37-8 R 3-48 I 1-0]
[3] George Allen raised over $380K from individuals working in energy and over $420K from energy PACs. Allen raised $387,399 from individuals who disclosed their employment in the energy industry; either in oil, gas, coal, nuclear, production, or distribution. Roughly 41% of the energy contributions came from out of state donors. Allen raised $420,720 from energy industry PACs in addition to the individual contributions. [www.tray.com]. Allen+óGé¼Gäós joint fundraising PAC W/N 1999 received $5,000 from Enron on 5/12/1999. His campaign committee, Friends of George Allen, received two $1,000 payments from Enron+óGé¼Gäós PAC one in August before the election and one in December of 2000. (www.tray.com)
Buzz Buzz, M