If you are wondering why climate legislation was defeated during the 111th Congress and expanded offshore drilling won -- it may have something to do with over $500 million spend by fossil energy companies on lobbying, campaign contributions, and other forms of political influence.

That spending by oil, gas, electric utility, and coal companies and associations dwarfs the $17 million spend by renewable energy groups.

The numbers, based on data from the Center for Responsive Politics, were totted up by the Center for American Progress and published by ClimateProgress September 27, 2010. [2]