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