In the United States, oil and natural gas are very valuable commodities. Because of this the oil and natural gas lobbyists pull a significant amount of weight in Washington as well as on the state level. In the documentary Gasland, lobbying has a negative effect because some major natural gas companies are expected from certain regulations and reporting policies. This is example is not the only instance in which the influence of the natural gas lobby is shown and in fact oil and natural gas lobbyists try to use their influence throughout the nation on both the federal and state levels. One such example is on the state level in Pennsylvania where State Senator Pat Browne’s wife is a lobbyist for Pugliese Lobbying Associates who represents Conoco Phillips one of the nation’s largest oil and natural gas companies. As Senator Mr. Browne first agreed with the idea of a severance tax on out of state corporations coming in to PA to harvest natural gas, but after Conoco Phillips came out and said they strongly opposed the tax, Mr. Browne interestingly enough changed his vote and decided to oppose the tax. Obviously, Ms. Browne involvement with Conoco Phillips had a huge influence in changing Senator Browne’s vote. Events like these are happening all over the country. One major example of this is how the Halliburton lobbyists were able to manipulate congress. Halliburton which is the nation’s largest natural gas company had some much influence over congress that a special clause was put in a 2005 energy bill which eliminated them from following standard reporting procedures and processes. Overall, it is clear that lobbyists are playing a major role over the government when it comes to the oil and natural gas industries. Source: http://candidateblogs.mcall.com/richard-orloski/2010/10/29/pat-browne-lobbyist-wife-support-big-oil-on-severance-tax-tax-on-big-oil-would-benefit-pa-small-business/
