Solar Energy Industries Association PAC
Solar Energy Industries Association PAC 2010 Annual Report Dear SEIA Members, Thank you for making 2010 the most successful year ever for the SEIA Political Action Committee (PAC). In 2010 the PAC generated over $75,000 in support for our solar champions in Congress, was host to three fundraisers for individual members of Congress, developed a candidate questionnaire and comparison, and held a successful (and fun!) fundraising event at SPI. These activities were key to enhancing SEIA’s lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill and successfully extending the 1603 Treasury Program for a year. Over the past four years, our PAC has developed from a small operation to become a critical part of SEIA’s advocacy efforts. As we move forward into 2011, the PAC’s prominence and importance in SEIA’s advocacy toolbox will increase substantially. Due to changes in the majority of the House, coupled with a strengthened Republican minority in the Senate, SEIA will need to forge new relationships and develop new solar champions. Increasing PAC support will be essential to getting the solar message out to the 80+ freshmen Members of Congress and the newly designated Congressional leadership.
Invest in SEIA PAC and help
Since its inception in 2006, SEIA PAC has steadily improved its political achieve our goals for the presence on Capitol Hill. To achieve SEIA’s broad-reaching advocacy 2012 election cycle. goals for 2011, industry-wide participation is critical to our success. Every dollar invested intensifies the effectiveness of our communication with Washington policymakers and ensures the long-term policy stability that enables the continued SEIA PAC Historical Contributions expansion of the solar industry. With $160,000 a robust PAC, we will strengthen Democrats Republicans SEIA’s political voice and grow the $140,000 marketplace for clean, efficient solar $120,000 $75,000 technologies. Please join me in participating and invest in SEIA PAC today. Sincerely,
$100,000 $80,000
1 SEIA | www.seia.org
$25,000 $75,000
$40,000 $20,000
Rhone Resch President & CEO Solar Energy Industries Association
$24,000
$60,000
$0
$36,500
$48,869
$5,000 $5,500
2006 Cycle
2008 Cycle
2010 Cycle
2012 Cycle (Goal)
Goals for 2011 (and beyond) SEIA PAC has set an ambitious agenda for 2011. Our goal this year is to raise and distribute $70,000 (on pace for $150,000 for the 2012 election cycle), as we build upon past success and significantly increase our support of newly elected and incumbent office-holders. With the political climate shifting dramatically since last year’s elections, SEIA PAC plans to approach Congress with the intention of solidifying old partnerships and building new alliances. This will be especially important in the newly Republican controlled House. An aggressive strategy will raise awareness of our issues, boost membership and participation, and capitalize on the popularity of solar energy. In addition to the dollar amount of support, the total number of donors to the PAC is also important. For 2011, SEIA PAC will attempt to increase the lifetime donor pool by 10 percent and identify 30 new donors. Newly purchased software will allow SEIA, with the assistance of its Board of Directors, to expand its outreach to the personal and professional networks of the solar industry’s leadership, as well as allow PAC supporters to set up recurring monthly or quarterly donations. Other adjustments to our fundraising strategy include active marketing of the PAC at SEIA functions (e.g., networking events, seminars, division calls, and meetings) and publishing the annual goals (and progress toward them) in all SEIA PAC communications including the weekly member newsletter. In 2011, the PAC also intends to build a stronger community around its record of accomplishments by improving communication efforts with SEIA members and improving the transparency of PAC donations. In addition to the Year-inReview and SPI invitation, a Mid-Year update and pre-PV America mailing is planned which would double the number of mailings from last year. The PAC will also employ more traditional fundraising tools such as listing and thanking donors, including thermometers toward progress, and publishing a list of events attended. We look forward to another strong year and working with SEIA members to achieve our goals.
Organization The PAC Committee, representing the diversity of solar technologies, continues to oversee the PAC’s activities. Among other responsibilities, the Committee must approve all contributions of $500 or more from SEIA PAC to candidates for office. Beginning with 2011, the PAC Committee will be expanded to five-members, consisting of the PAC Chair and 4 at-large members. In order to ensure continuity of SEIA’s political efforts, members will serve for 2-years coinciding with an election cycle (i.e. January 2011 – December 2012). The PAC Chair and Committee members will assist in developing the PAC strategic plan, disbursements and overall strategy, and—most importantly—in rallying industry support and peer-to-peer fundraising efforts. The 2011-2012 SEIA PAC Committee Members are: • Joe Pasetti, Solyndra (Chair) • Laura Jones, Hunton & Williams • Les Nelson, Western Renewables Group / SEIA Solar Thermal Division Chairman • Kari Smith, SunPower Corporation • John Stanton, SolarCity SEIA would like to thank our Chair and Committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of SEIA PAC.
2 SEIA | www.seia.org
Fundraising SEIA PAC raised $76,860 in 2010, either as a direct contribution or at a PAC-hosted fundraiser, marking our fifth consecutive year of growth. Once again, our main fundraising event was held at Solar Power International 2010 in Los Angeles. Casino Night was highly successful (and fun!) and marked the beginning of SEIA’s attempt to brand the PAC reception as an anticipated, “must-attend” event at the major trade show. The event was attended by over one hundred members of the solar industry and helped raise nearly $25,000 for SEIA’s advocacy efforts. In total, 93 individuals from over 50 companies invested in SEIA PAC during 2009. SEIA would like to recognize the following corporate PACs that contributed in 2010: • SunPower Corporation PAC ($5,000) • National Semiconductor Corp. Employees PAC ($1,000) • RES Americas PAC ($1,000) SEIA PAC would also like to recognize SolarCity, whose individual employees invested a total of $4,300. SEIA staff contributed the second most of any company with $3,746 in direct support. For 2011, SEIA PAC has set a fundraising goal of $70,000, including direct contributions and contributions to SEIA PAC sponsored events. A tentative 2012 goal of $80,000 has also been set— giving an electoral cycle goal of $150,000, 15% more than the 2009-2010 cycle. SEIA PAC begins 2011 with $52,368 cash-on-hand, reflecting successful fundraising efforts and a busy election year. We are looking forward to solidifying relationships with our solar champions and forging new relationships with the many freshman lawmakers elected in November. Dear SEIA Member, Regardless of your feelings on the influence of money in politics, it is and will remain a major factor in national politics for the foreseeable future. As the solar industry’s political action committee, SEIA PAC is in a unique position to help a champion spread our message during their campaign or show a new Representative or Senator the benefits of solar energy. A strong PAC is an essential piece in any industry’s political tool box, but we can’t use it without your help. Small or large, your contribution to SEIA PAC is an investment in the industry’s future and every dollar helps build a new relationship or support an established solar champion. I hope you’ll invest in SEIA PAC today and help us build the solar industry of tomorrow. Dan Adamson SEIA Vice President of Government Affairs
3 SEIA | www.seia.org
Total PAC Contributions by Sector 14,000,000 12,000,000 10,000,000 8,000,000 6,000,000 4,000,000 2,000,000 0 Electric Utilities
Oil and Gas
Republicans
Mining
Democrats
Alternative (Misc) Energy
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, 2010 Election Cycle
SEIA PAC 2010 Congressional Recipients and Committee Assignments SENATE CANDIDATE RECIPEIENTS OF SEIA PAC FUNDS RECIPIENT Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (candidate) Robin Carnahan (D-MO), defeated (candidate) Martha Coakley (D-MA), defeated Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) (candidate) Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH), defeated Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
COMMITTEES Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Chair, Energy, Science, and Technology Subcommittee); Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Aging Armed Services; Energy and Natural Resources (Chair); Finance; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Joint Economic Committee Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works (Chair); Foreign Relations; Ethics n/a n/a Finance (Ranking Member); Judiciary; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Intelligence; Aging; Joint Committee on Taxation (House) Financial Services; Oversight and Government Reform Majority Leader Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Budget; Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; US Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee (Chair)
HOUSE CANDIDATE RECIPIENTS OF SEIA PAC FUNDS RECIPIENT Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D, NV-01) Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R, CA-45) Congressman Kevin Brady (R, TX-08) Congressman Dave Camp (R, MI-04) Congressman Eric Cantor (R, VA-07) Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D, CA-14) Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D, AZ-08) Congressman Doc Hastings (R, WA-04) Congressman Martin T. Heinrich (D, NM-01) Congressman Jay Inslee (D, WA-01) Congressman Steve Israel (D, NY-02) Congressman Dan Maffei (D, NY-25), defeated Congressman Ed Pastor (D, AZ-04) Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D, CA-08) Congressman Tom Perriello (D, VA-05), defeated Congressman Mike Simpson (R, ID-02) Congressman Mike Thompson (D, CA-01) 4 SEIA | www.seia.org
COMMITTEES Ways and Means; Foreign Affairs Energy and Commerce Ways and Means Ways and Means Majority Leader; Financial Services; International Relations; Ways and Means Energy and Commerce; Intelligence Armed Services; Science, Space and Technology Natural Resources (Chair) Natural Resources; Armed Services Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Energy Independence and Global Warming Appropriations (Energy and Water Development); DCCC (Chair) Financial Services; Judiciary Appropriations (Energy and Water Development) Former Speaker of the House; Current Minority Leader Transportation and Infrastructure; Veterans' Affairs Appropriations (Energy and Water Development); Budget Ways and Means; Intelligence
Giving In 2010, SEIA PAC was heavily involved during a busy election season. The PAC contributed to 26 individual candidates, 21 of whom were elected. In addition, the SEIA PAC joined the Republican Main Street Partnership PAC, which provided support to centrist Republican candidates; and supported the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Overall, PAC support helped educate policymakers on the importance of the Treasury Grant Program, DOE Loan Guarantees, §48C Manufacturing Tax Credit, and other SEIA priorities. Our initial giving strategy emphasized key supporters, such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Congressman Steve Israel, Congressman Jay Inslee and Senator Michael Bennet.
Support for our Solar Champions SEIA PAC also held three successful fundraisers, honoring solar champions and educating Members and Congressional staff on the importance of the solar industry. Two of these events were held in SEIA’s new offices, providing an opportunity to show-off the solar technology on display throughout the site. All three SEIA-backed candidates were successful in their reelection efforts and stand ready to assist the solar industry achieve our policy goals. • Senator Harry Reid: ($20,500) • Rep. Mike Thompson: ($13,100) • Rep. Gabrielle Giffords: ($3,500)
Changing Strategies with a Changing Majority Before the November elections, and with a change in Congressional leadership seemingly apparent, SEIA PAC proactively changed strategy and focused on building relationships with incoming GOP leadership. The solar industry was already proud of our relationship with Congressman Dave Camp (incoming Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee), having worked with his office to successfully ensure passage of the 8-year ITC extension. In addition to attending events in support of Rep. Camp, SEIA PAC also contributed the maximum amount to Minority Leader (now Speaker) Boehner and Energy & Commerce Committee member, Rep. Mary Bono Mack. This re-focused outreach, combined with SEIA PAC’s membership in the Main Street PAC helped balance SEIA’s political giving between the two parties and educate the incoming House leadership on the issues important to the solar industry.
Partisan PAC contributions by energy sector Electric Utilities
Oil and Gas
Coal and Mining
27%
43% 57%
73%
33%
67%
Alternative Energy 32%
Democrats 68%
Republicans
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, 2010 Election Cycle
5 SEIA | www.seia.org
Creating a Culture of Political Participation The solar industry is being out gunned! In a major election year, alternative energy companies were outspent two-to-one by Big Coal, nine-to-one by Big Oil and almost eleven-to-one by the utility companies. While industry size is one major factor contributing to this, another is culture. Individuals and companies in these industries have cultivated a culture of participation in political activity, which we are still working to create in the solar sector.
$54,368
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, 2010 Election Cycle Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates
Part of the reason that these companies are able to invest in candidates to this degree is that every worker, manager and executive participates. They understand two things: that the long-term health of their industry means more job security and more opportunity for themselves and their families, and that the future of energy in the U.S. rests in the hands of policymakers. Others have learned this lesson the hard way: whether it’s moratoriums on oil drilling, consumer product safety standards, or pharmaceutical advertising restrictions, no industry is immune to politics. While solar may be unique, even among energy producers, we share one thing in common with other industries: our fate will be decided in the political arena. We need to build our own political culture of participation if we want to meet the industry’s goal of installing 10 GW of new solar capacity annually by 2015. Political investment is a critical in making that vision a reality. Strong public policies require champion lawmakers, and we can’t help these candidates win without your help. We need every solar company employee to help us build a great industry for our country and our planet. Participation in the political process is the only way we can make that future a reality.
6 SEIA | www.seia.org
Invest in SEIA PAC and help
Since its inception in 2006, SEIA PAC has steadily improved its political achieve our goals for the presence on Capitol Hill. To achieve SEIA’s broad-reaching advocacy 2012 election cycle. goals for 2011, industry-wide participation is critical to our success. Every dollar invested intensifies the effectiveness of our communication with Washington policymakers and ensures the long-term policy stability that enables the continued SEIA PAC Historical Contributions expansion of the solar industry. With $160,000 a robust PAC, we will strengthen Democrats Republicans SEIA’s political voice and grow the $140,000 marketplace for clean, efficient solar $120,000 $75,000 technologies. Please join me in participating and invest in SEIA PAC today. Sincerely,
$100,000 $80,000
1 SEIA | www.seia.org
$25,000 $75,000
$40,000 $20,000
Rhone Resch President & CEO Solar Energy Industries Association
$24,000
$60,000
$0
$36,500
$48,869
$5,000 $5,500
2006 Cycle
2008 Cycle
2010 Cycle
2012 Cycle (Goal)
Goals for 2011 (and beyond) SEIA PAC has set an ambitious agenda for 2011. Our goal this year is to raise and distribute $70,000 (on pace for $150,000 for the 2012 election cycle), as we build upon past success and significantly increase our support of newly elected and incumbent office-holders. With the political climate shifting dramatically since last year’s elections, SEIA PAC plans to approach Congress with the intention of solidifying old partnerships and building new alliances. This will be especially important in the newly Republican controlled House. An aggressive strategy will raise awareness of our issues, boost membership and participation, and capitalize on the popularity of solar energy. In addition to the dollar amount of support, the total number of donors to the PAC is also important. For 2011, SEIA PAC will attempt to increase the lifetime donor pool by 10 percent and identify 30 new donors. Newly purchased software will allow SEIA, with the assistance of its Board of Directors, to expand its outreach to the personal and professional networks of the solar industry’s leadership, as well as allow PAC supporters to set up recurring monthly or quarterly donations. Other adjustments to our fundraising strategy include active marketing of the PAC at SEIA functions (e.g., networking events, seminars, division calls, and meetings) and publishing the annual goals (and progress toward them) in all SEIA PAC communications including the weekly member newsletter. In 2011, the PAC also intends to build a stronger community around its record of accomplishments by improving communication efforts with SEIA members and improving the transparency of PAC donations. In addition to the Year-inReview and SPI invitation, a Mid-Year update and pre-PV America mailing is planned which would double the number of mailings from last year. The PAC will also employ more traditional fundraising tools such as listing and thanking donors, including thermometers toward progress, and publishing a list of events attended. We look forward to another strong year and working with SEIA members to achieve our goals.
Organization The PAC Committee, representing the diversity of solar technologies, continues to oversee the PAC’s activities. Among other responsibilities, the Committee must approve all contributions of $500 or more from SEIA PAC to candidates for office. Beginning with 2011, the PAC Committee will be expanded to five-members, consisting of the PAC Chair and 4 at-large members. In order to ensure continuity of SEIA’s political efforts, members will serve for 2-years coinciding with an election cycle (i.e. January 2011 – December 2012). The PAC Chair and Committee members will assist in developing the PAC strategic plan, disbursements and overall strategy, and—most importantly—in rallying industry support and peer-to-peer fundraising efforts. The 2011-2012 SEIA PAC Committee Members are: • Joe Pasetti, Solyndra (Chair) • Laura Jones, Hunton & Williams • Les Nelson, Western Renewables Group / SEIA Solar Thermal Division Chairman • Kari Smith, SunPower Corporation • John Stanton, SolarCity SEIA would like to thank our Chair and Committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of SEIA PAC.
2 SEIA | www.seia.org
Fundraising SEIA PAC raised $76,860 in 2010, either as a direct contribution or at a PAC-hosted fundraiser, marking our fifth consecutive year of growth. Once again, our main fundraising event was held at Solar Power International 2010 in Los Angeles. Casino Night was highly successful (and fun!) and marked the beginning of SEIA’s attempt to brand the PAC reception as an anticipated, “must-attend” event at the major trade show. The event was attended by over one hundred members of the solar industry and helped raise nearly $25,000 for SEIA’s advocacy efforts. In total, 93 individuals from over 50 companies invested in SEIA PAC during 2009. SEIA would like to recognize the following corporate PACs that contributed in 2010: • SunPower Corporation PAC ($5,000) • National Semiconductor Corp. Employees PAC ($1,000) • RES Americas PAC ($1,000) SEIA PAC would also like to recognize SolarCity, whose individual employees invested a total of $4,300. SEIA staff contributed the second most of any company with $3,746 in direct support. For 2011, SEIA PAC has set a fundraising goal of $70,000, including direct contributions and contributions to SEIA PAC sponsored events. A tentative 2012 goal of $80,000 has also been set— giving an electoral cycle goal of $150,000, 15% more than the 2009-2010 cycle. SEIA PAC begins 2011 with $52,368 cash-on-hand, reflecting successful fundraising efforts and a busy election year. We are looking forward to solidifying relationships with our solar champions and forging new relationships with the many freshman lawmakers elected in November. Dear SEIA Member, Regardless of your feelings on the influence of money in politics, it is and will remain a major factor in national politics for the foreseeable future. As the solar industry’s political action committee, SEIA PAC is in a unique position to help a champion spread our message during their campaign or show a new Representative or Senator the benefits of solar energy. A strong PAC is an essential piece in any industry’s political tool box, but we can’t use it without your help. Small or large, your contribution to SEIA PAC is an investment in the industry’s future and every dollar helps build a new relationship or support an established solar champion. I hope you’ll invest in SEIA PAC today and help us build the solar industry of tomorrow. Dan Adamson SEIA Vice President of Government Affairs
3 SEIA | www.seia.org
Total PAC Contributions by Sector 14,000,000 12,000,000 10,000,000 8,000,000 6,000,000 4,000,000 2,000,000 0 Electric Utilities
Oil and Gas
Republicans
Mining
Democrats
Alternative (Misc) Energy
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, 2010 Election Cycle
SEIA PAC 2010 Congressional Recipients and Committee Assignments SENATE CANDIDATE RECIPEIENTS OF SEIA PAC FUNDS RECIPIENT Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) (candidate) Robin Carnahan (D-MO), defeated (candidate) Martha Coakley (D-MA), defeated Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) (candidate) Congressman Paul Hodes (D-NH), defeated Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
COMMITTEES Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry (Chair, Energy, Science, and Technology Subcommittee); Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Aging Armed Services; Energy and Natural Resources (Chair); Finance; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Joint Economic Committee Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works (Chair); Foreign Relations; Ethics n/a n/a Finance (Ranking Member); Judiciary; Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Intelligence; Aging; Joint Committee on Taxation (House) Financial Services; Oversight and Government Reform Majority Leader Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Budget; Energy and Natural Resources; Finance; US Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee (Chair)
HOUSE CANDIDATE RECIPIENTS OF SEIA PAC FUNDS RECIPIENT Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D, NV-01) Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R, CA-45) Congressman Kevin Brady (R, TX-08) Congressman Dave Camp (R, MI-04) Congressman Eric Cantor (R, VA-07) Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D, CA-14) Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D, AZ-08) Congressman Doc Hastings (R, WA-04) Congressman Martin T. Heinrich (D, NM-01) Congressman Jay Inslee (D, WA-01) Congressman Steve Israel (D, NY-02) Congressman Dan Maffei (D, NY-25), defeated Congressman Ed Pastor (D, AZ-04) Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D, CA-08) Congressman Tom Perriello (D, VA-05), defeated Congressman Mike Simpson (R, ID-02) Congressman Mike Thompson (D, CA-01) 4 SEIA | www.seia.org
COMMITTEES Ways and Means; Foreign Affairs Energy and Commerce Ways and Means Ways and Means Majority Leader; Financial Services; International Relations; Ways and Means Energy and Commerce; Intelligence Armed Services; Science, Space and Technology Natural Resources (Chair) Natural Resources; Armed Services Energy and Commerce; Natural Resources; Energy Independence and Global Warming Appropriations (Energy and Water Development); DCCC (Chair) Financial Services; Judiciary Appropriations (Energy and Water Development) Former Speaker of the House; Current Minority Leader Transportation and Infrastructure; Veterans' Affairs Appropriations (Energy and Water Development); Budget Ways and Means; Intelligence
Giving In 2010, SEIA PAC was heavily involved during a busy election season. The PAC contributed to 26 individual candidates, 21 of whom were elected. In addition, the SEIA PAC joined the Republican Main Street Partnership PAC, which provided support to centrist Republican candidates; and supported the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Overall, PAC support helped educate policymakers on the importance of the Treasury Grant Program, DOE Loan Guarantees, §48C Manufacturing Tax Credit, and other SEIA priorities. Our initial giving strategy emphasized key supporters, such as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Congressman Steve Israel, Congressman Jay Inslee and Senator Michael Bennet.
Support for our Solar Champions SEIA PAC also held three successful fundraisers, honoring solar champions and educating Members and Congressional staff on the importance of the solar industry. Two of these events were held in SEIA’s new offices, providing an opportunity to show-off the solar technology on display throughout the site. All three SEIA-backed candidates were successful in their reelection efforts and stand ready to assist the solar industry achieve our policy goals. • Senator Harry Reid: ($20,500) • Rep. Mike Thompson: ($13,100) • Rep. Gabrielle Giffords: ($3,500)
Changing Strategies with a Changing Majority Before the November elections, and with a change in Congressional leadership seemingly apparent, SEIA PAC proactively changed strategy and focused on building relationships with incoming GOP leadership. The solar industry was already proud of our relationship with Congressman Dave Camp (incoming Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee), having worked with his office to successfully ensure passage of the 8-year ITC extension. In addition to attending events in support of Rep. Camp, SEIA PAC also contributed the maximum amount to Minority Leader (now Speaker) Boehner and Energy & Commerce Committee member, Rep. Mary Bono Mack. This re-focused outreach, combined with SEIA PAC’s membership in the Main Street PAC helped balance SEIA’s political giving between the two parties and educate the incoming House leadership on the issues important to the solar industry.
Partisan PAC contributions by energy sector Electric Utilities
Oil and Gas
Coal and Mining
27%
43% 57%
73%
33%
67%
Alternative Energy 32%
Democrats 68%
Republicans
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, 2010 Election Cycle
5 SEIA | www.seia.org
Creating a Culture of Political Participation The solar industry is being out gunned! In a major election year, alternative energy companies were outspent two-to-one by Big Coal, nine-to-one by Big Oil and almost eleven-to-one by the utility companies. While industry size is one major factor contributing to this, another is culture. Individuals and companies in these industries have cultivated a culture of participation in political activity, which we are still working to create in the solar sector.
$54,368
Source: Center for Responsive Politics, 2010 Election Cycle Contributions from this PAC to federal candidates
Part of the reason that these companies are able to invest in candidates to this degree is that every worker, manager and executive participates. They understand two things: that the long-term health of their industry means more job security and more opportunity for themselves and their families, and that the future of energy in the U.S. rests in the hands of policymakers. Others have learned this lesson the hard way: whether it’s moratoriums on oil drilling, consumer product safety standards, or pharmaceutical advertising restrictions, no industry is immune to politics. While solar may be unique, even among energy producers, we share one thing in common with other industries: our fate will be decided in the political arena. We need to build our own political culture of participation if we want to meet the industry’s goal of installing 10 GW of new solar capacity annually by 2015. Political investment is a critical in making that vision a reality. Strong public policies require champion lawmakers, and we can’t help these candidates win without your help. We need every solar company employee to help us build a great industry for our country and our planet. Participation in the political process is the only way we can make that future a reality.
6 SEIA | www.seia.org
