A proposed rule from the Department of Interior would grant those in the hydroelectric industry the exclusive right to appeal rulings about how dams are licensed and operated. The rule could save the hydroelectric industry hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements while effectively cutting Indian tribes, states, federal agencies and environmental groups out of the appeals process.

Enforcement of federal environmental law has declined significantly during the Bush years, according to several recent studies, even as the 30-year trend of environmental improvement has begun to reverse course. Declining Enforcement

The Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which includes seven members with strong industry connections, recently released its recommendations for an update of Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Not surprisingly, the committee's recommendations for controlling intake of carbohydrates, sugars and fats were vague and weak, prompting 25 nutritionists to send a letter to HHS calling for stronger, clearer language.

ALEC, the American Legislative Exchange Council, is corporate America's conduit to the state legislatures. With its network of conservative state legislators, ALEC has promoted hundreds of harmful legislative proposals on a range of subjects from privatization of foster care to anti-environmental rollbacks. For a thorough introduction to ALEC, check out ALECWatch.org, with its comprehensive report of ALEC's history, news coverage of the largely unknown organization, lists of ALEC initiatives, and information on ALEC's funders -- naturally, a Who's Who of corporate America.