Thread by @JuddLegum

1. Over the last week, a group purportedly devoted to clean energy has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads pushing progressives to derail largest investment in clean energy in history

We've uncovered what's really going on

Buckle up

🧵

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2. The ads from United for Clean Power urge progressives to "Demand true environmental justice from your Democrat colleagues or block the Reconciliation bill"

Saying "Democrat colleagues" rather than "Democratic" is an affectation of GOP operatives, not climate activists.

3. United for Clean Power's one-page website features the message: "Tell Congress: No Reconciliation Without Comprehensive Climate Change," which makes no sense

Actual climate and clean energy advocates have never heard of the group

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4. An in-depth investigation by Popular Information and FWIW reveals that United for Clean Power has extensive ties to a network of Republican operatives who use non-profit groups to manipulate issues.

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5. United for Clean Power was founded in 2015 by Erin Cummings. In an interview, Cummings said she started the group to promote "positive renewable energy policies."

But the group never gained traction, and she stepped away in 2017.

But she did not shut it down.

6. Cummings transferred control of United for Clean Power to someone else.

Who did she transfer it to? Cummings repeatedly refused to answer that question.

"I can't give you any information," Cummings said.

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6. The only known donor to United for Clean Power during Cummings' tenure is an organization called Freedom Frontier, which donated $41,000 in 2015.

Freedom Frontier is a non-profit run by GOP operatives to funnel cash to right-wing politicians.

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7. In 2016, Freedom Frontier donated $250,000 to a Super PAC supporting Lindsay Graham's presidential run.

The same year, it was the sole donor to a super PAC that spent $4.4 million attacking the opponents of GOP gubernatorial candidate Eric Greitens.

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8. In 2015, when United for Clean Power received its donation, the principal officer of Freedom Frontier was Joel Riter.

Riter was described in a 2014 profile as a "Super PAC guru" who was "now setting up dark-money groups to help… conservative candidates and causes."

9. The only person formally associated with United for Clean Power today is Greg Finnerty, who is based in Columbus, Ohio.

Cummings said in an interview that she does not know Finnerty but also that all questions about the org should be directed to him.

10. Over text, Finnerty wouldn't answer questions about who, apart from him, was involved in the organization

He said the purpose of the org was to highlight "irresponsible environmental policies" in Ohio

He described himself as "a bit player in this game trying to hit singles"

11. Finnerty also would not reveal how he obtained control of the organization from Cummings.

Public records, however, show that Finnerty has extensive connections to Riter and his associate, John Norris.

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12. Finnerty is the registered agent for CAP Square Solutions, the lobbying firm run by Norris that Riter joined in 2011.

Finnerty also incorporated Riter's current employer, Clark Fork Group, a "public affairs" firm that engages in "independent expenditures"

13. In 2018, after Finnerty replaced Cummings, United for Clean Power sent direct mail attacking a Republican member of the Ohio House who was pushing payday lending reform legislation.

It also paid 135K to a Republican ad firm, Majority Strategies.

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14. In 2020, United for Clean Power bought YouTube ads in support of Shauleen Higgins, a Green Party candidate running for Oregon Senate. Higgins received just 4% of the vote, but it was enough to tip the race to the Republican candidate.

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15. For several days, United For Clean power purchased full-page takeovers of Politico.com, a placement that costs upwards of 150K per day. It also sponsored multiple Politico newsletters.

And it has spent over $44,300 on Google and at least $32,700 on Facebook.

16. The ads deceptively present United for Clean Power as a group deeply committed to combating climate change. Politico Vice President for Communications @BDayspring did not return a request for comment.

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17. For more in-depth reporting that pulls back the curtain on the hidden forces shaping American politics, subscribe to Popular Information.

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18. This report was published in partnership with @FWIWnews, a newsletter tracking digital spending, strategy, and trends in our elections.

fwiwnewsletter.substack.com