Members of the Pecan Street consortia include the University of Texas, utility Austin Energy, Austin Technology Incubator, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and the Environmental Defense Fund.

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The influence particular companies wield on the 16 policy committees that shape the Chamber's stance on everything, from environmental regulation to e-commerce, is unclear.

ECONOMIST: Corporate lobbying

Support for Waxman-Markey is tepid in large measure because it's loaded with so much special-interest giveaways for environmental programs and favored companies--which helps explain why the Chamber has emerged as today's punching bag.

FORBES: Commentary

And it, after your endorsement, Mr. President, attracted quite a range of support from the Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers, folks also that you might call environmental groups, 3, 000 small and medium businesses from every state, and major labor and business organizations.

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