Another Connection Between Rendell and the Gas Industry

Former Governor Ed Rendell faced criticism after he published a pro-fracking op-ed in the New York Daily News last month and failed to mention his connections to the natural gas industry.
ProPublica first reported that after stepping down has governor, Rendell was hired as a paid consultant to a private equity firm with investments in the natural gas industry. The Daily News subsequently added a disclosure statement at the end of his column.
Now ProPublica is reporting Rendell has another connection to the gas industry. He’s worked for the Philadelphia law firm Ballard Spahr, both before and after his time in office:

Rendell is currently special counsel at the firm, and is a member of its energy and project finance and environment and natural resources practice areas, his spokeswoman said.
The firm touts its work “on the forefront” of the development of the Marcellus Shale, the formation under Pennsylvania and other states from which a vast quantity of natural gas is now being extracted.

A February report by the Buffalo N.Y.-based Public Accountability Initiative called “Fracking and the Revolving Door In Pennsylvania” detailed the industry ties of many of the state’s top public officials, including the past three governors and every head of the Department of Environmental Protection.

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