Delaware’s most prominent fossil fuel lobbyists also lobby on behalf of clients in the health care and local government sectors, both of which face rising costs due to the climate crisis, according to the latest F Minus lobbyist list for Delaware. Climate-related costs in the health care, transporation, and other key sectors will cost Delaware an estimated $1 billion per year for the rest of this century, according to a 2022 report commissioned by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
The firm BoydGomes lobbies on behalf of the Koch Companies, a leading funder of climate denialism, as well as Calpine, the largest operator of gas plants in the country, including the Edge Moor and Hay Road power plants, which in 2021 were found to be the state’s fourth and fifth most-polluting plants. BoydGomes also represents Bayhealth Medical Center, the Medical Society of Delaware, and the Delaware Alliance for Nonprofit Advancement, whose membership includes numerous health care and environmental groups.
Ruggerio Willson Watson lobbies on behalf of the Delaware City Refining Company, whose Delaware City oil refinery is the state’s third-dirtiest power plant, and ranked second in the country for nitrogen pollution in 2021. The firm also lobbies on behalf of Cristiana Care, the Association of Coastal Towns, and New Castle County, whose climate action plan calls for the County to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Calpine also shared a diffferent lobbyist, Robert Whetzel at the law firm of Richards, Layton & Finger, with the City of Wilmington. Wilmington consistently ranks among the worst northeastern cities for air pollution, and its climate action plan calls for the city to reduce its GHG emissions 58% by 2050.
“Despite the climate crisis, Delaware’s fossil fuel lobbyists continue to do a booming business representing local governments such as Wilmington and New Castle County,” said James Browning, Executive Director of F Minus. “It’s time for elected officials to reconsider these relationships and stop funneling taxpayer dollars to lobbying firms who’re working to further our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels.”
“It’s high time for New Castle County and other local governments to cut ties with lobbyists who work for fossil fuel companies,” said New Castle Councilperson Dee Durham. “For all the good things that we’re doing on climate, it’s dangerous and self-defeating to turn around and hire a lobbying firm whose other clients are furthering our dependence on fossil fuels. Someone always loses when two masters are being served.”
Last year, a 50-state report card from F Minus gave Delaware a grade of F for its lobbyist disclosure system, citing failures to require lobbyists to disclose their salaries or the positions they take on legislation on behalf of their clients.