"API's Recycled Astroturf"

"Have you heard about the massive public uprising to protect Big Oil's tax breaks? No? Oh, probably because it doesn't exist. But that doesn't mean the American Petroleum Institute won't try to convince you it does!

API has launched a "new" Energy Citizens campaign to convince you, the average American, to help the oil industry trade group protect the lavish tax loopholes they currently enjoy. With that whole oil disaster in the Gulf, it looks like Congress might cut off the gravy train for oil companies when it comes to billions of dollars in tax breaks and direct subsidies every year. Now API has launched a new ad campaign to protect the handouts, as well as a new "grassroots" campaign to protect them. One big problem: Their latest astroturf effort looks a whole lot like their last astroturf effort."

Kate Sheppard reports for Mother Jones July 21, 2010.