Energy reform: Heavy hitters seek to sway Cap and Trade debate

Some say there's a whiff of fresh air in Washington. But others say it's the same hot air as always... only there's more of it than ever.

As President Obama continues to push for a market-based cap on greenhouse gas emissions, an unprecedented number of powerful lobbyists and interest groups are preparing to leave their mark on federal policy.

In the five years since Congress last voted on climate change, there's been a 300 percent increase in the number of climate lobbyists, according to the Center for Public Integrity. There are now more than 2,300 lobbyists from 770 companies and organizations--more than four lobbyists for every member of Congress.

And those lobbyists collected at least $90 million last year from 770 companies and organizations, including the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, a group of 48 firms that spent a total of $9.95 million exclusively on the issue, according to a March 12 Fox News report.

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