Attacks on Renewable Energy Policies in 2015

Fossil fuel and utility interests, concerned about the rise of cheap clean energy, continue to finance attacks on pro-clean energy policies in an effort to delay the growth of their competition in the marketplace. These companies, along with the Koch Brothers’ political network and front groups, want to continue selling as much coal, oil, and gas as possible — and, in their effort to roll back clean energy policies, are spreading misinformation about clean energy and the energy market.

A main component in the strategy to stop the growth of renewable energy is to fund front groups, who then attack clean energy policies across the United States. While corporate interests also lobby politicians and regulators, these front groups serve a fundamental role in these assaults by adding a supposed independent, anti-clean energy voice to energy policy debates.

This report highlights the front groups and utility companies involved in attacking net metering and renewable energy standards, as well as the states where debates played out.