Russ Feingold: “Of course the Nuclear Energy Institute is the chief lobbyist on behalf of companies that operate nuclear power plants in…”

“Of course the Nuclear Energy Institute is the chief lobbyist on behalf of companies that operate nuclear power plants in the U.S., and has led the fight for the nuclear waste legislation, in its various forms, that is now before us. NEI gave more than $135,000 in soft money to the parties and more than $70,000 in PAC money to candidates in the 1998 election cycle. In addition to NEI, a number of utilities which operate nuclear plants were also significant PAC and soft money donors in the '98 cycle, including: Commonwealth Edison, which gave $110,000 in soft money and more than $106,000 in PAC money, and Florida Power and Light, which gave nearly $300,000 in soft money to the parties and more than $182,000 in PAC money to candidates. Many of these donors didn't waste any time before donating in the current cycle either--NEI already reported donating more than $66,000 in soft money, and Commonwealth Edison already reported $90,000 in soft money donations in 1999.”