Free Republic

Two green energy companies contributed a quarter of a million dollars to the American Indian tribe spearheading a months-long demonstration against an oil pipeline in North Dakota. Standing Rock Sioux voted unanimously April 5 to accept two $150,000 donations from ConEdison Development and Fagen Inc., both of which have partnered up to build windmills in the North Dakota area, according to internal documents kept by the tribe. ConEdison Development acquired land near Standing Rock’s reservation and began construction on a wind power facility last year. Fagen was a contractor on the project. The $250,000 donations to the tribe were meant...

Are you willing to pay 12 to 30 cents more a month on your utility bill for an institute coordinating energy and climate change technology research across the state? Actually, you don't have a choice. The California Public Utilities Commission on Thursday unanimously approved the $600 million California Institute for Climate Solutions, which will be paid for by money from ratepayers' monthly electric bills, to the tune of $60 million a year. The institute aims to speed up research into cutting greenhouse gas emissions, such as auto exhaust, that contribute to pollution. This work is already under way at laboratories...

RALEIGH, N.C. - In his time off between presidential bids, Democrat John Edwards courted Wall Street financial gurus and Main Street labor leaders. But when it comes to the money backing his second campaign, the wallets of wealthy attorneys who propelled the former trial lawyer's first run for the White House still open more than most. More than half of the Edwards donors who listed their occupations said they are attorneys, and they have given seven times more than any other profession, according to an Associated Press analysis of campaign finance data. By comparison, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton...

Sacramento -- Some of the same corporate interests that dominate the Capitol through high-priced lobbyists and campaign donations also bankroll nonprofit organizations that in turn spend tens of thousands of dollars a year entertaining state lawmakers and administration officials far from home -- gifts that otherwise would exceed state limits. Since 2002, the largesse has included a weekend at a fashionable beachfront golf resort south of Rio de Janeiro for 14 state officials, including Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez, D-Los Angeles, and the governor's chief of staff, Susan Kennedy. There was also a luncheon cruise on New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf for...

Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and his followers allegedly "granted" US$ 100,000 to the Enocacerista Movement, according to an investigation conducted by the Peruvian newspaper El Comercio into the funding of the group managed by Antauro and Ollanta Humala. The newspaper pointed out that "the Peruvian Ministry of the Interior views as reliable the information that states that in 2001 Hugo Chávez had sent to Antaulo Humala Tasso, through a retired army officer, the amount of US$ 100,000 to consolidate the political party." According to intelligence sources, there were not additional deliveries because Humala "did not use properly" the money granted....