Just six years ago, 70 percent of the interests weighing in on climate issues in the nations capital were energy companies and manufacturers. But by 2008, those sectors made up only 45 percent of the total, despite their strong growth, because so many new interests had joined in the fray.

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity — a group of 48 companies — topped the list of those solely focused on the issue, spending $9.95 million.

” The nation’s largest and most powerful industry groups–the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers–are now leading voices against climate action, “other industry coalitions, such as the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, want to see Congress act on greenhouse gases–as long as lawmakers take care to minimize their costs.

“Others, like the numerous alternative energy companies, are pursuing opportunities that would be available as a result of a new commitment to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. And then there are the Wall Street banks like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase, as well as private equity firms and new financial players, which would buy and sell emissions “permits’ under a proposed “cap-and-trade” system favored by most pro-climate politicians, including Obama. Finally, there are the cities, public transit agencies, universities, and others sleeking piece of the pie–the revenue that a climate program would generate when power plants, oil companies, and others have to buy federal permits to continue emitting carbon dioxide.”