The national climate advocacy group F Minus has released a new report highlighting the lack of oversight of fossil fuel lobbyists in the Maryland State House. The report, titled “Inherent Vice,” grades the 50 states on the transparency of their lobbyist disclosure laws, with Maryland receiving a C-plus. However, the report found a pattern of incomplete and inaccurate information in disclosures filed by fossil fuel lobbyists in Maryland.
F Minus argues that lobbyists who represent both fossil fuel companies and climate organizations or clean energy interests are hindering action on climate change by not fully disclosing their activities. The report also reveals examples of lobbyists giving contradictory testimony on climate bills and failing to disclose their lobbying activities to the state ethics commission.
The advocacy group calls for more frequent and detailed disclosure requirements for lobbyists, arguing that current reporting practices are insufficient to fully understand the impact of fossil fuel lobbying on state legislatures. F Minus recommends that governors, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, take action to hold fossil fuel lobbyists accountable for their lack of transparency.
Overall, F Minus believes that exposing the tactics of fossil fuel lobbyists is crucial in the fight against climate change, and that without better disclosure requirements, states like Maryland are at risk of losing this battle. This report aims to shed light on the practices of fossil fuel lobbyists and advocate for greater transparency in lobbying activities.
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Photo credit marylandmatters.org
