Despite voters' views, Gardner's EPA position has already been paid for

I think it is pretty obvious what Cory Gardner thinks about the EPA. Based on campaign contributions, it's pretty easy to see why.

From the Colorado Independent: Gardner hammers on EPA re Clean Air Act but poll says voters in CD4 want more regulations

U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., helped lead last week’s GOP onslaught against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, despite polling in his congressional district showing two-thirds of his constituents feel “Congress should let the EPA do its job.”

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that more than about 55 percent of voters in Gardner's district favor the EPA setting stricter air pollution standards. The NRDC also found that Gardner had taken in $29,500 in campaign contributions from oil, gas, electric utilities, coal, and mining companies.

The only issue I have with this information is I think their estimates of his campaign contributions are woefully low. I took a quick look at his campaign finance reports at the FEC and I think the NRDC's estimate is off by more than $150,000. I would estimate that from oil and gas interests, electric utilities, coal and mining operations, etc. that Cory Gardner received about $180,000.

To come to this number, I separated business and employer names for all contributions received through 2010 that appeared to be oil, gas, or mining related related. If they were not obviously from such an entity I excluded the contribution. Some notable contributors to Cory Gardner's campaign are COALPAC (The National Mining Association), MINEPAC (National Mining Association), Conoco Phillips, and employees of Anadarko Petroleum (they really love Cory), Duncan Oil, and Conquest Oil. It's not hard to spot these contributors, really. (See .pdf)

So nearly $200,000 in campaign contributions from oil, mining and electric utilities, eh? No wonder he wants to stop the EPA so bad. If he didn't he might not get those fat checks in the mail anymore.