8. Jack Gerard
Image has not been found. URL: /wp-content/uploads/2010/04/gerard.jpgAs President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, Gerard is one of the biggest mouthpieces for the oil and gas industries in the climate change debate. API has in the past funded multiple ad campaigns to fight energy regulation and other issues. Currently, API is running an ad campaign that argues that the president’s budget will create $80 billion in energy taxes. API counts 400 companies as members, which is one reason why Kerry, Graham and Lieberman met with Gerard in March to discuss the legislation. Though the final bill has yet to be published, it’s is widely expected to be more friendly to oil and gas than past proposals.
