The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
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the American economy and destroy jobs is a recipe for continued election losses. The majority of Democrats in the Senate and the White House just don't get it, even though the recent election results surely should have sunk in by now. They have lost their way, their purpose and their base. New RepoRt: NatuRal Gas INdustRy Has speNt $49 MIllIoN to INflueNce pa elected offIcIals sINce 2007 The natural gas industry and related trade groups gave approximately $8 mil- lion to Pennsylvania state candidates and political committees from January 2007 through Oct. 20, 2014, according to new research by Common Cause Pennsylvania and Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania. The industry also spent $41 million lobbying the Pennsylvania state legislature from 2007 through June 2014, noted a group opposed to natural gas drilling and development. "The gas industry invested $8 mil- lion in politicians and saved itself tens of millions in a severance tax and reduced regulations," said Josh McNeil of Conservation Voters of Pennsylvania. "The politicians who took gas money and did gas's bidding made a similar cal- culation, selling out Pennsylvanians and selling off public resources for contribu- tions to their own campaigns." Governor Tom Corbett was the top recipient of industry campaign con- tributions accepting $2,084,241 from the industry since 2007—$1.56 million from industry employees and $526,652 from industry PACs. The industry con- tributed $697,284 to Governor Corbett in 2013 and 2014 alone. In addition, two industry executives, John Hess, CEO of the Hess Corporation, and Trevor Rees-Jones, Chairman of Chief Oil & Gas, contributed a total of $475,688 in 2014 to the Republican Governors Association (RGA). RGA was the larg- est donor to Governor Corbett in the 2014 campaign. The natural gas indus- try contributed to Governor-elect Tom Wolf as well, though at a much lower level, donating $53,500 during the course of the 2014 campaign. Other top recipients of industry money between 2007 and August 2014 were: • Senate President Joseph Scarnati (R-25): $500,870 • Newly elected Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-28): $272,100, • 2010 Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dan Onorato: $179,200. • Newly elected House Majority leader Dave Reed (R- 62): $178,950. • Former Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9): $170,250. • Newly elected Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-34) came in 12th in overall contributions: $89,650. The data also shows that a new spend- ing trend has emerged in recent years: a shift to more political party political action committee contributions. From 2007 to 2014, gas industry contributions favored candidates to party PACs by a ratio of nearly four-to-one ($6.2 million to $1.4 million). Party PAC contribu- tions favored the Republican Party with a seven-to-one majority ($1.27 million to Republican Party PACs; $166,850 to Democratic Party PACs). oesp RetuRNs to HeRsHey foR 2015 coNveNtIoN & tRade sHow Join OESP, the National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals, for their 61st Annual Convention & Trade Show from May 17-21, 2015, at Hershey® Lodge in Hershey, Pa. This will be OESP Executive Director Judy Garber's final Convention and will feature an impressive education pro- gram, as well as networking and chari- table events. The association invites all industry professionals to join them as they celebrate Judy's contributions to the industry. OESP will deliver on its mission of education with a host of technical and managerial classes, hands-on training sessions and product demonstrations. Sharpen your skills and earn NATE and NORA CEUs. Meet with those who manufacture the products you install and service. And, stay competitive with first-hand knowledge about new products and emerging technology that can benefit your business. Demonstrate your commitment to the future of our industry during the Dave Nelsen Scholarship Golf Tournament and Oil Heat Cares' Care to Ride on Monday, May 18, 2015. OESP has also planned several social and networking events, including events for spouses such as a wine-and- chocolate pairing class. Visit www.thinkoesp.org or call 888-552-0900 to learn more about exhibiting or attending OESP's Annual Convention and Trade Show. Calendar of Events JAN., 2015 12th Annual National Biodiesel Conference & Expo Jan. 19-22 Fort Worth Convention Center Fort Worth, TX 877-433-3976 2015 AHR Expo Jan. 26-28 McCormick Place Chicago, IL 203-221-9232 info@ahrexpo.com www.ahrexpo.com FEB., 2015 WPMA Convention Feb. 17 - 19 The Mirage Hotel Las Vegas, NV 801-263-9762 MArCh, 2015 The Work Truck Show 2015 March 4–6 Indiana Convention Center Indianapolis, IN 800-441-6832 DAtEliNE BreakINg NeWs 4 deceMBeR 2014 | fuel oIl News | www.fueloilnews.com