Clean-energy companies have increased their K Street spending by 5x over the past couple of years.  But Bloomberg reports it's still a drop in the ocean:

Exxon Mobil Corp., the biggest U.S. oil producer, spent more on Washington lobbying during the first half of the year than all clean-energy companies combined, researcher New Energy Finance Ltd. said.

Exxon Mobil, based in Irving, Texas, spent $14.9 million lobbying in the six months, 23 percent more than the $12.1 million laid out by companies that make solar panels or wind turbines to generate electricity, London-based New Energy Finance said today in a note to clients.

The entire oil and gas industry spent $82.2 million in the first half of the year.  If you're ever wondering why the Waxman-Markey climate bill kept getting watered down so much, now you know.

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