Political Lobbying & Political Activities

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Lobbying and political activities

Political process commitments & contributionsAES’ purpose is to accelerate the future of energy, together. In support of that purpose, AES engages in the political process and believes good government policy benefits all AES stakeholders including customers, employees and shareholders. We participate in the public policy process in the United States in a variety of ways including corporate government affairs programs designed to educate and inform elected officials on key public policy issues related to the company’s business. AES’ direct lobbying activities support our business objectives and carbon reduction targets, and are consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.

We provide an annual voluntary political contribution and expenditure report for the United States which can be found here:

Trade association membershipsAES maintains memberships in trade and other associations which help advance our business objectives. These associations provide a forum for members to share ideas and develop new ways to improve the industry and provides benefits to all of AES’ various stakeholders. Our membership in and payments to specific trade associations or other organizations does not mean that we endorse every position or issue that the organizations may support. AES maintains an active role in the trade associations in which we belong so that we may address any significant conflicts between our values and perspectives of the trade associations. This includes a review of these trade associations and engagement with them to ensure alignment with the goals of the Paris Agreement, to the extent this is not already the case.

Principal memberships in trade and other associations that receive more than $25,000 from AES, or an AES subsidiary, annually are listed below:

Edison Electric Institute
Business Roundtable
American Clean Power Association
Solar Energy Industry Association
Energy Storage Association

Corporate political contributionsWe’ve chosen not to engage directly in independent expenditures to advocate for the election or defeat of federal candidates, do not participate in 501(c)(4) organizations that engage in political activity, and do not engage in grassroots lobbying. If in the future AES chose to engage through these channels, we would report any future spending of these types on our website.

Public policy engagementWe regularly communicate with government policymakers, public officials and regulators at the federal, state and local levels in order to protect and advance the long-term goals and interests of all AES stakeholders. In addition to our voluntary Political Contribution Reports, AES files quarterly lobbying activity reports with the Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Secretary of the U.S. Senate. These publicly available reports include our expenses incurred in connection with lobbying activities including all payments to retained lobby firms, outside entities or through trade association membership. Lobbying contributions, including those made through The AES Political Action Committee, can also be found in the reports listed above.

Governance around political and charitable activitiesAES maintains a Charitable Contribution and Political Donations Policy to ensure all charitable contributions and political donations made by AES, or any of its subsidiaries, on behalf of AES are consistent with our Values, the AES Ethics and Compliance Program, and the laws and regulations that govern such practices in the United States and internationally. Political contributions must be approved by the AES Ethics and Compliance Department under the direction of the Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer or the General Counsel’s Office under the direction of the General Counsel. Annually, the Governance Committee of the Board of Directors reviews the charitable contributions and political donations made by AES and its subsidiaries. Similarly, our Lobbying Policy requires approval by the AES Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer prior to engaging any individuals and entities to provide lobbying services on behalf of AES.