Marcellus Gas Industry Campaign Contributions Up 47 Percent

A new study finds a 47 percent increase in campaign donations from the natural gas industry to Pennsylvania politicians in the 2013-2014 election cycle (over 2011-2012). Lobbying expenditures grew 13 percent over the same period.

The study was done by MarcellusMoney.org, a project of Common Cause and the PA and Conservation Voters of PA that tracks campaign contributions of the gas drilling industry. 
Quick Facts:

-- Natural gas campaign contributions (2013-2014): $2,819,109

-- Total contributions (since 2007): $8,221,909

-- Natural gas lobbying expenditures (2013-2014): $17,903,738

-- Total lobbying (since 2007): $46,869,515

In 2013-2014, natural gas industry donations were made to:

-- Republican candidates and PACs totaled $2,195,254.

-- Democratic candidates and PACs totaled $519,814.

In the executive branch, 2013-2014 natural gas donations were made to:

-- Gov. Tom Corbett totaled $794,884.

-- The Republican Governors Association totaled $501,377.

-- Gov. Tom Wolf totaled $59,500.

-- Katie McGinty totaled $72,500.

In the General Assembly, 2013-2014 natural gas donations were made to:

-- Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati totaled $101,788.

-- House Majority Leader Dave Reed totaled $81,250.

-- Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa totaled $48,700.

-- Representative Jeffrey Pyle totaled $44,745.

-- Former Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi totaled $43,000.

-- Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman totaled $40,750.

-- House Speaker Mike Turzai totaled $27,500.

For more information, the full data sheet, and analysis of the impacts of these expenditures, read the full report at www.marcellusmoney.org.