Barton questions ‘propriety’ of GM, Chrysler climate lobbying

Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) is attacking General Motors and Chrysler for participating in a coalition lobbying for climate legislation in light of the automakers' receipt of billions of dollars in taxpayer assistance.

Barton, the top Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote letters to the two companies’ CEOs Thursday about the automakers’ role in the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a group formed in 2007 that unites large companies and environmental groups in favor of cap-and-trade legislation.

“I write to ask whether it is in the interest of the American public and U.S. taxpayers for GM to continue to support lobbying by the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (USCAP) after the taxpayers rescued GM, and whether financial support for this organization could be put to better use in the interest of taxpayers and your company,” Barton wrote to GM. A nearly identical letter went to Chrysler.

The two companies together have received tens of billions of dollars in federal loans in recent years to help stave off collapse.

“Given that recent U.S. Treasury reports indicate American taxpayers presently own more than 60 percent of GM, I question the propriety of GM’s continued membership and participation in USCAP,” Barton wrote.

Barton is a climate skeptic who argues that legislation that imposes caps on greenhouse gas emissions would cause economic harm.

Barton’s attack on the automakers' participation in USCAP follows the recent departure of oil majors BP and ConocoPhillips from the group. The oil companies have alleged that major House and Senate cap-and-trade plans would harm refiners. Royal Dutch Shell remains a member of the coalition, which also includes several large utilities and other companies.