Cheney's secret energy task force is finally revealed

I found this through the Daily Kos, and I'm not really surprised here. The original source story is from The Washington Post:

A confidential list prepared by the Bush administration shows that Cheney and his aides had already held at least 40 meetings with interest groups, most of them from energy-producing industries. By the time of the meeting with environmental groups, according to a former White House official who provided the list to The Washington Post, the initial draft of the task force was substantially complete and President Bush had been briefed on its progress.

In all, about 300 groups and individuals met with staff members of the energy task force, including a handful who saw Cheney himself, according to the list, which was compiled in the summer of 2001. For six years, those names have been a closely guarded secret, thanks to a fierce legal battle waged by the White House. Some names have leaked out over the years, but most have remained hidden because of a 2004 Supreme Court ruling that agreed that the administration's internal deliberations ought to be shielded from outside scrutiny.

[....]

The list of participants' names and when they met with administration officials provides a clearer picture of the task force's priorities and bolsters previous reports that the review leaned heavily on oil and gas companies and on trade groups -- many of them big contributors to the Bush campaign and the Republican Party. But while it clears up much of the lingering uncertainty about who was granted access to present energy policy views to Cheney's staff, it does not entirely explain why the Bush administration fought so hard to keep it and other as-yet-unreleased internal memos secret.

Contacted over the past week, several people who met with the task force's staff described their meetings as part of a normal "interagency" review of major domestic policy and expressed bewilderment that the White House and Cheney labored to keep the deliberations out of the public eye.

"I never knew why they fought so hard to keep it secret," said Charles A. Samuels, outside counsel to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which participated in a March 13 meeting to discuss the idea of tax credits for super-efficient appliances. "I am sure the vast majority of the meetings were very policy-oriented meetings -- exactly what should take place."

Provided a copy of the list, Cheney's office said he would not comment on it. "The vice president has respectfully but resolutely maintained the importance of protecting the ability of the president and vice president to receive candid advice on important national policy matters in confidence, a principle affirmed by the Supreme Court," spokeswoman Lea Anne McBride said by e-mail.

Here is the list from the Washington Post. I'm not surprised that Big Oil, Big Gas, Big Mining and other corporate interests attended these Energy Task Force meetings with the Vice President Dick Cheney--it is certainly within their business interests to present their talking points with the Bush administration, just as it is within the interests of environmental groups to present their own case to the administration. And I'm also not surprised that the Bush administration would adopt an energy policy that is basically a give-away to the Big Oil, Gas, and Mining interests for their own excessive profits. The real question I have is why did Vice President Cheney spend so much time and energy to keep this list secret? Is it because many of these industry executives on the list are also major campaign contributers to President Bush? Or is it because Cheney feels so strongly in the concept of a unitary executive that he can tell anyone to "frack off" for looking into the administration's activities or any oversight? I can't say.

But now that the list has been made public, I wonder if Congress will start another series of hearings with the big energy execs and question them about their own roles in these Cheney Task Force meetings? There certainly is more to come.

I'm posting the entire list here, Hat tip to DKos user MonkeyBiz:

ame Affiliation Date of Meeting
Greg Moredock Cabot Energy March 14, 4 p.m.
Jim Rouse Exxon Feb. 14, 12 p.m.
Ralph J. Goehring Berry Petroleum Company March 6, 9 a.m.
John Martini California Independent Petroleum Association March 6, 9 a.m.
Red Cavaney American Petroleum Institute March 6, 9 a.m.
Graham Ban-[sic] BP March 22, 12 p.m.
Deb Beaubien BP March 22, 12 p.m.
Peter Davies BP March 22, 12 p.m.
Bob Malone BP March 22, 12 p.m.
Eli Bebout Nucor Oil & Gas March 22, 12 p.m.
William Terry Smith Tidelands Oil Production Company March 22, 12 p.m.
Steen Parker Tidelands Oil Production Company March 22, 12 p.m.
William Dozier Vintage Petroleum Inc. March 22, 12 p.m.
Larry Bates Vintage Petroleum Inc. March 22, 12 p.m.
Wayne Gibben CONOCO April 12
Alan Huffman CONOCO April 12
Alby Modiano CONOCO April 12
Archie Dunham March 21, 4 a.m. [sic?]
Kevin Brown Sinclair Oil March 21, 2 p.m.
Clint Ensign Sinclair Oil March 21, 2 p.m.
Kathi Wise Sinclair Oil March 21, 2 p.m.
Willie Hensley Alyeska Pipeline Service Company March 7, 9 a.m.
Lindsay Hooper Small Refiners Group March 15, 10 a.m.
Paul Freer Marathon Oil, Conoco, Amerada March 29, 2 p.m.
Rick Shelby AGA Leadership Council March 26
Sir Mark Moody-Stuart Shell Oil April 17, 10 a.m.
Steven Miller Shell Oil April 17, 10 a.m.
Jerry Halverson Interstate Natural Gas Association of America March 9, 9:30 a.m.
Rick Roldan National Propane Gas Association April 20, 10 a.m.
Lisa Bontempo National Propane Gas Association
RENEWABLE ENERGY
The Stella Group March 28, 10 a.m.
National Bioenergy Industries Association March 28, 10 a.m.
Jaime Steve American Wind Energy Association March 28, 10 a.m.
Glen Hamer Solar Energy Industry Association March 28, 10 a.m.
Karl Gawell Geothermal Energy Association March 28, 10 a.m.
The Alliance to Save Energy David Nemtzow March 28, 10 a.m.
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Howard Geller March 28, 10 a.m.
Environmental Energy Study Institute Beth Bliel March 28, 10 a.m.
Environmental Energy Study Institute Carol Werner March 28, 10 a.m.
American Biomass Association Meagan Smith March 28, 10 a.m.
American Green David Flory March 28, 10 a.m.
INDEPENDENT ENERGY FIRMS/COUNCILS/THINK-TANKS
Electric Power Supply Association
Red Cavaney American Petroleum Institute March 8, 4 p.m.
David Yergin [sic--Daniel] Cambridge Energy Research Associates March 12, 4 p.m. (3 other visits)
Sandia National Laboratories April 20, 3 p.m. (w/VPOTUS)
The Energy Council March 6
Alan Richardson Pacificorps March 28, 2 p.m.
Rob Wallace General Electric March 28, 4:30 p.m.
Nuclear Energy Institute
Business Council for Sustainable Energy March 8, 11 p.m.
Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy Feb. 22, 2 p.m.
Fluor Corporation Feb. 21, 2 p.m.
Alliance for Rural America (ARA)
Coalition for Energy and Economic Growth (CEEG) Feb. 26, 2 p.m.
American Public Power Association (APPA)
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
National Mining Association Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
John Anderson ELCON
Edison Electric Institute
National Hydrogen Association
American Society of Engineers
Vernon Smith California Energy Crisis Feb. 21, 3 p.m.
The Progress and Freedom Foundation Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
The Progress and Freedom Foundation Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
CONSUMER GROUPS
The Progress and Freedom Foundation Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
Paul Cicio from Dow Chemical, representing 11 companies International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers March 7, 10:30 a.m.
ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
Howard Ris Union of Concerned Scientists April 4, 10 a.m.
Alden Meyer Union of Concerned Scientists April 4, 10 a.m.
Elizabeth Thompson Environmental Defense April 4, 10 a.m.
Roger Rufe Center for Marine Conservation April 4, 10 a.m.
Jim Lyon National Wildlife Federation April 4, 10 a.m.
Erich Picha Friends of the Earth April 4, 10 a.m.
Alyssondra Campaigne Natural Resources Defense Counsel April 4, 10 a.m.
Deborah Callahan League of-Conservation Voters April 4, 10 a.m.
Robert Musil Physicians for Social Responsibility April 4, 10 a.m.
Anna Aurilio US Public Interest Research Group April 4, 10 a.m.
Katherine Silverthorne World Wildlife Fund April 4, 10 a.m.
Sandra Sshubert [sic] EarthJustice Legal Defense Fund April 4, 10 a.m.
Robert Dewey Defenders of Wildlife April 4, 10 a.m.
Kevin Curtis National Environmental Trust April 4, 10 a.m.
ACADEMIA/THINK TANKS
Robert Hahn American Enterprise Institute
Philip Sharp Kennedy School of Government
James M. Griffin Texas A&M
James L. Sweeney Stanford University
Bob Faron MRI Research March 2, 2 p.m.
REGULATORY GROUP
National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners
STATE/REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
National Association of State Energy Officials
Northeast Energy and Commerce Association
CANADIAN INTEREST GROUPS
BC Hydro March 26, 4 p.m.
Nova Scotia Power March 26, 4 p.m.
HydroQuebec March 26, 4 p.m.
CEA March 26, 4 p.m.
Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
Bob Pierce Foothills Pipelines
Doug Baldwin Trans Canada Pipelines March 8, 12:30 p.m.
CITY/STATE/REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
National Association of State Energy Officials
Northeast Energy and Commerce Association
John Fistolera Northern Calif. Power Agency
Rick Grice State of Colorado, Office of Energy
William Keese California Energy Commission
James Brandmueller Ph.D. State of Nevada, Dept. of Business and Energy
Frederick Hoover, Jr. State of Maryland Energy Administration
Maurice Kaya, P.E. State of Hawaii, Dept. of Business, Economic Dev.
Peter Smith NY State Energy R&D Authority
Helen Hansen Metro Water District of Southern Calif.
Brad Hiltscher Metro Water District of Southern Calif.
Deb Taylor State of Texas Energy Conservation Office
William Nesmith State of Oregon, Office of Energy
Edwin Pinero State of Pennsylvania, Dept. of Environmental Protection
Samuel Reid State of Rhode Island, Governor's Office
John Nunley State of Wyoming, State Energy Program
Kim Raap State of Wyoming
Barbara McCall Texas Cities Legislative Coalition
Alan N. Vallow, P.E. City of Lori, California
Laura Y. Whitton City of Chicago
Jim Nichols City of Lake Benton
Mayor (Floyd Adams, Jr.) City of Savannah
Jack Hilliard City of Florence Utilities
Euline Brock City of Denton, Tex.
Bern Beecham City of Palo Alto
MEETINGS WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS/STAFF
Rep. Barton (R-TX)
Rep. Blunt (R-MO)
Rep. Boucher (D-VA)
Rep. Burr (R-NC)
Rep. Calvert (R-CA)
Rep. Cubin (R-WY)
Rep. Pickering (R-MS)
Rep. Radanovich (R-CA)
Rep. Shimkus (R-IL)
Rep. Tauzin (R-LA)
Rep. Terry (R-NE)
Staff of Rep. Nick Joe Racal (D-WV) (sic)
Rep. Whitfield (R-KY)
Rep. Wilson (R-NM)
Republican Staff of House Energy Strategy Group
Staff from House Majority Whip's Office
Senator Murkowski (R-AK)
Staff, Western Governors
Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Senator Bingaman (Ranking Minority Leader on Clean Air Sub-Committee)
Rep. Ose 21-Mar
Rep. Vernon Ehler 21-Mar
Rep. Ralph Hall (D-TX) 12-Mar
Rep. Tauzin's Staff 8-Mar
Reps. Tauzin and Barton (Meeting with VPOTUS) 27-Mar
Sen. Voinovich 6-Apr
Rep. Duncan Hunter 6-Apr
Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)
Rep. Rick Larson (D-WA)
Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA)
Rep. David Wu (D-OR)
Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)
Rep. Greg Walden (R-OR)
Rep Peter DeFazio (D-OR)
Rep. Darlene Hooley (D-OR)
Rep. Butch Otter (R-ID)
Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Rep. Dennis Rehberg (R-MT)
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Rep Doc Hastings (R-WA)
Rep. George Nethercutt (R-WA)
Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R-WA)
COMPANY/TRADE ASSOCIATION MEETINGS
Brian Henneberry El Paso Corp. April 9
Lori Laudien El Paso Corp. April 9
Gretchen Emling Williams April 9
Janet Sena April 9
Kristen Ludecke PSEG Power April 9
Richard Goodstein American Ref-Fuel April 9
Frazier Blaylock Coventa Energy April 9
Phil Moeller CALPINE April 9
David Brown EXELON April 9
David Gilbert Constellation Energy Group April 9
Holly Nichols Reliant Energy April 9
Joe Vasapoli Reliant Energy April 9
April 9
Gene Peters EPSA April 9
Mary Doyle Dynergy April 9
Elaine Ziemba NRG Energy April 9
Melissa Lavinson PG&E NEG April 9
Tom Briggs Enron April 9
April 9
Yvonne McIntyre Mirant April 9
April 9
Jeanne Connelly CALPINE April 9
Tobyn Anderson Lighthouse Energy Group April 9
Laura Eahm PPL Global April 9
Rusty Matthews Dickstein Shapiro April 9
Barbara Burchett Aquila Energy April 9
Karen Hunsicker Billups Entergy April 9
Donn Salvosa EPSA April 9
Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
American Gas Association
American Petroleum Institute
Arctic Power
BP/AMOCO/ARCO
Canadian Alliance
Judy Pensavene Constellation Energy Group March 5, 9 am* second meeting
CREA
Beverly Marshad Duke Energy March 5, 9 am
Edison Electric Institute
El Paso Energy

Emerson
Enron
Kristie Simms Entergy March 5, 9 am
David Brown Exelon Corporation March 5, 9 am

Exxon Mobil
Florida Power & Light
FLUOR
Independent Petroleum Association of America
Interstate Natural Gas Association of America
Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission
Michael Flannigan Kennecott/U.S. Borax and Rio Tinto March 12
Alan Steinbeck Kennecott/U.S. Borax and Rio Tinto March 12
Tom Bunk Kennecott/U.S. Borax and Rio Tinto March 12
Bill Post Pinnacle West March 8
Robbie Aiken Pinnacle West March 8
Midwest Research Institute re: energy studies
National Energy Marketers Association
National Mining Association
Natural Resources Canada
Nuclear Energy Institute
Petroleum Finance Company
Phillips Petroleum
Pinnacle West
Bud Albright Reliant Energy
Resource Development Council for Alaska
Southern Company
TXU
United States Enrichment Corporation
VECO Alaska, Inc
Ambassador Smith Williams Company March 8, 5 pm
Emerson Electric Company March 2, 10 am
El Paso Energy Corporation*
Canadian Electricity Association March 26, 4 pm
Edison Electric Institute*
Ken Lay Enron Corporation February 22, 5 pm and April 17 (w/VP)
Alan Richardson American Public Power Association Executive Committee March 20, 3:30 pm
Teamsters April 20, 11 am
OTHER MEETINGS
Teamsters April 20, 11 am
Electric Vehicle Association of the Americas February 1
Assistant Deputy Minister of Energy for Canada
Canadian Deputy Secretary of Energy
The Honorable David Karnes, Former Senator, Nebraska Kutak Rock LLP
Tim Peckinpaugh Van Ness Feldman
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (Van Ness Feldman client)
Sandia National Laboratories
Scott Sklar Executive Director, Solar Energy Industries Association
Kyle Simpson Morgan Meguire LLC
Angolan Ministers
Paul Cicio Dow Chemical March 7 and March 21, 8:30 pm*
J.J. Brown Alternate Fuels March 7
California Independent Petroleum Association Executive Board March 12
British Deputy Head of Mission March 12
Former Congressman Laughlin
Former Representative Susan Molinari EXELON March 12
Beth Fowler Nils Olsen March 16
Northwest Energy Caucus (w/VPOTUS)
American Farm Bureau (Speech) March 21
California Agriculture Leadership Program March 22
John Runyan International Paper March 22
Erin Schaffer International Paper March 22
Kevin Lynch Pacific Corp March 28
Alan Richardson Pacific Corp March 28
Venezuelan Delegation April 5
Steve Griles-Renewable Energy Caithness April 5
EPSA*
Former Congressman Bliley Independent Gasoline Marketers Assn.
Jon Doggett American Farm Bureau March 6, 3:00pm
Robin West March 7, 3:00pm
Linda Stuntz (Former Deputy Secretary of Energy) March 16, 2:00pm
Mark Kerrigan March 16, 2:00pm
Robert Priddle International Energy Agency April 17, 11:00am
Rob Goldstein Princeton Plasma Physics April 18, 4:30pm
Business Council for Sustainable Energy April 18, 4:30pm
ENERGY EFFICIENCY GROUPS
William Badger + 2 Washington Council Ernst and Young March 13, 10:00am
Charles Samuels Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers March 13, 10:00am
Douglass Horstman Maytag Corporation March 13, 10:00am
Ayssondra Campaigne* [sic--spelled differently above] Natural Resources Defense Council* March 13, 10:00am
Edward Osann American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy March 13, 10:00am
David Hamilton Alliance to Save Energy March 13, 10:00 a.m.
*=more than one meeting listed
NOTE: Some organizations were listed as having meetings with the Energy Task Force but no individual names were given. Many of the meetings which occurred were not recorded with a specific date. Spellings of names and organizations listed are taken directly from the document.

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