This week on the Center’s Public I podcast, Executive Director Bill Buzenberg talks to reporter Marianne Lavelle about a controversial new voice shaping the climate change debate on Capitol Hill.

The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity boasts an annual budget of more than $45 million — almost three times larger than the coal industry’s old lobbying and public relations groups combined.

Since its inception in April 2008, the organization of 48 mining, rail, manufacturing and power-generating companies has run an advertising blitz promoting coal as an abundant, affordable, and potentially clean energy source — even as critics accuse it of peddling hot air.

Listen to the interview or check out the full report.

You can view the rest of the Public I podcast series here, or subscribe via iTunes.

Follow the Center on Twitter and Facebook.

Next entry: The Daily Watchdog: April 24, 2009
Previous entry: The Daily Watchdog: April 23, 2009