We turn now to look at the Texas billionaire behind the Dakota Access Pipeline: Kelcy Warren, the CEO of Energy Transfer Partners. Described by Bloomberg as “among America’s new shale tycoons,” Warren is personally worth $4 billion. He has become a major donor to the Republican Party. During this election cycle, he gave over $500,000 to a super PAC backing former Texas Governor Rick Perry. He also maxed out his donations to House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Energy Chair Fred Upton, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Lisa Murkowski. Kelcy Warren also owns a small music label and recording company, and is the founder and driving force behind the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in Texas. We speak to Sue Sturgis. Her recent piece on Facing South is headlined “Meet the Texas Billionaire and GOP Donor Behind the North Dakota Pipeline Controversy.”
TRANSCRIPT
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NERMEEN SHAIKH: We turn now to look at the Texas billionaire behind the Dakota Access pipeline: Kelcy Warren, the CEO of Energy Transfer Partners. Described by Bloomberg as “among America’s new shale tycoons,” Warren is personally worth $4 billion. He has become a major donor to the Republican Party. During this election cycle, he gave over $500,000 to a super PAC backing former Texas Governor Rick Perry. He also maxed out his donations to House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Energy Chair Fred Upton, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Chair Lisa Murkowski.
Kelcy Warren owns a small music label and recording company, and is the founder and driving force behind the Cherokee Creek Music Festival in Texas. Later in the show, we will be joined by the Grammy Award-winning Indigo Girls, who have written an open letter to Kelcy Warren.
But first I want to turn to Sue Sturgis, editorial director of Facing South. Her recent piece is headlined “Meet the Texas Billionaire and GOP Donor Behind the…