The WatchDog thanks the Sunlight Foundation for a cool new tool that will help environmental reporters keep abreast of the latest hanky-panky in Congress: a lobbyist registration tracker that beats all.

Lobbyist data has been online before — but Sunlight's cool tool lets you search by issue, by client, or by registrant. It is also highly current — being updated weekly. Lobbyists must register within 45 days of being hired. You can track all lobbyists working on energy/nuclear issues, or on environment/superfund issues, or on agriculture — among others. Even gaming (remember Jack Abramoff?)

Check it out and search for chicanery here. [2]