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What is GASPAC? GASPAC is the American Gas Association Political Action Committee. It is a multi-candidate, non-partisan political action committee (PAC) registered with the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Under the regulations of the FEC, GASPAC was formed to advance the agenda of the natural gas industry in Washington, DC. Because corporations cannot use general treasury funds for contributions, GASPAC was created to receive voluntary political contributions from supporters for the purpose of contributing to state and federal candidates who support the natural gas industry. How is GASPAC run? GASPAC is led by a board of directors, comprising AGA’s president, chairman, and two senior officers. They oversee the PAC Contributions Committee, a body made up of member company representatives, an AGA staff member, and GASPAC’s executive director. Through a democratic process on this committee, every dollar that is contributed to GASPAC is contributed to supporters of the natural gas industry. Who can contribute to GASPAC? GASPAC can only be funded by personal contributions from a limited group of AGA staff and member company executives and administrative employees. All contributions must be personal, not corporate. GASPAC may accept contributions from U.S. citizens or Green Card holders only. GASPAC does not accept contributions from persons outside of its restricted class or from corporate member restricted class employees from whom AGA has not received prior approval in writing to solicit in the current calendar year. How much does GASPAC raise for political candidates? GASPAC raised approximately $425,000 in voluntary political contributions in the last election cycle--$202,779 in 2009 and $220,057 in 2010, to date. The following shows GASPAC receipts by election cycle since 2004.
How successful is GASPAC? In the last election cycle, GASPAC made 352 bi-partisan contributions to candidates and political committees. Over 80% of the candidates GASPAC contributed to were elected in November 2010. How does GASPAC compare to other Industry PACs? The following chart compares AGA’s GASPAC during the last election cycle to other organizations’ PACs, including the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) and the Edison Electric Institute (EEI).
What are the criteria for GASPAC contributions to candidates? The following factors are taken into account when contributing to candidates for state or federal office:
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