Non-profit donors allegedly acting as “fronts” for utilities backing Amendment 1

By Francisco Alvarado, FloridaBulldog.org 

Consumers for Smart Solar, the Political Action Committee supporting controversial Amendment 1 that critics say would give Florida utility companies a monopoly on solar energy, has raised $4.45 million from three non-profit groups allegedly acting as “fronts” for utility industry contributions.

“Big monopoly utilities filter money through outside organizations in an attempt to make it appear like they have support from non-utility interests,” said Susan Glickman, Florida director of the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, a group that supports a marketplace for solar energy that allows consumers to choose their provider. “But the money [donated to Consumers for Smart Solar] all comes from the same place.”

The three alleged fronts for the state’s largest electric companies are Let’s Preserve the American Dream, the 60 Plus Association and the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Records show that each has received money from utility interests in the past, and each does not disclose the identities of its financial backers.

For the Amendment 1 ballot measure to pass, it must get 60 percent voter approval.

Although the money raised by the non-profits is a fraction of the $20 million-plus utility companies have given to Consumers for Smart Solar, their donations create the false perception that Amendment 1 has the support of regular people, said Aliki Moncrief, executive director of Florida Conservation Voters, a group promoting environmental protection and clean energy.

“These groups supporting Amendment 1 have brought up the legitimate concern about protecting consumers,” Moncrief said. “Unfortunately, they are acting as fronts for the big utility companies.”

Consumers for Smart Solar chairman Jim Kallinger did not respond to two requests for comment sent to his company’s email address. The company, Stamp Vault, does not have a listed phone number, and the phone number listed on the Political Action Committee’s campaign filings belongs to a Tallahassee accounting firm.

Sarah Bascom, the PAC’s spokeswoman, did not respond to a voicemail and email requesting comment before deadline.

According to Consumers for Smart Solar’s campaign finance reports, Let’s Preserve the American Dream has donated $1.3 million since 2015 with its most recent contribution of $250,000 made on Oct. 28. The Tallahassee-based non-profit organization’s executive director is Ryan Tyson, who is also vice president of political operations for Associated Industries of Florida, a group that bills itself as “The Voice of Florida Business” and counts former Florida Republican House Speaker Tom Feeney as its chief executive.

Funding sources not disclosed

Let’s Preserve the American Dream’s 2015 income tax return shows the non-profit generated more than three quarters of its $1.6 million in annual revenue through contributions, grants and gifts. However, the sources for those funds are not disclosed on the tax returns. Reached via email, Tyson declined to comment on who or which companies financially support Let’s Preserve the American Dream. He also would not explain why Let’s Preserve the American Dream did not use its Political Action Committee (which has the same name) to donate the $1.3 million that went to Consumers for Smart Solar. Had the money gone through the PAC, Let’s Preserve the American Dream would be required to disclose its donors.

According to campaign finance reports, the Let’s Preserve the American Dream PAC was disbanded on Oct. 6 after raising and spending $33,000 since 2015. The group collected $10,000 apiece from FP&L and The Mosaic Company, the owner of the Central Florida fertilizer plant where 215 million gallons of contaminated wastewater recently drained into an aquifer that provides drinking water for millions of Floridians.

Another Consumers for Solar backer, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, also does not disclose the source of the contributions, gifts and grants it receives, according to its 2012, 2013 and 2014 tax returns. However, a brochure for the group’s 2015 annual convention at the Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood lists several energy and fossil fuel companies as sponsors, including Gulf Power, Koch Industries and Chevron.

The black chamber, which generated $1.3 million in revenue in 2014, donated $200,000 to Consumers for Smart Solar through its National Black Chamber of Commerce Free Trade Initiative, a 501c(4) non-profit organization that had its tax-exempt status revoked by the Internal Revenue Service for not filing tax returns for three consecutive years.

With no tax-exempt status, the Free Trade Initiative can essentially engage in political activities without any restrictions, said Steve R. Johnson, a Florida State University tax law professor. “The revocation of tax-exempt status does not prohibit them in any way from making contributions,” Johnson said. “It can spend money on any kind of lobbying activity.”

Harry Alford, the black chamber’s longtime president, did not return two phone calls seeking comment.

The 60 Plus Association, a Virginia-based senior citizen advocacy group that supports privatizing Social Security and ending the federal estate tax, has contributed $1.69 million to Consumers for Smart Solar since last year. Like the black chamber and Let’s Preserve, 60 Plus does not disclose its donors.

However, tax filings for Freedom Partners, an organization that receives substantial financial support from industrialists Charles and David Koch, shows it gave $15.7 million to 60 Plus in 2012. American Encore, another organization supported by the Kochs, gave 60 Plus a combined $14 million between 2010 and 2012. James Martin, 60 Plus chairman, did not return a phone call seeking comment.

According to Moncrief, “Everyone knows 60 Plus is a front group for the Koch brothers trying to appeal to seniors.”

Glickman said voters deserve to know that the three non-profits backing Consumers for Smart Solar are indebted to energy and fossil fuel corporations. “Power companies are spending tens of millions of dollars to deceive people into voting for Amendment 1,” she said. “Don’t be misled by this deceptive campaign.”