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WARNING: This site deals only with the corporate corruption of science, and makes no inference about the motives or activities of individuals involved.
    There are many reasons why individuals become embroiled in corporate corruption activities - from political zealotry to over-enthusiastic activism; from gullibility to greed.
    Please read the OVERVIEW carefully, and make up your own mind.




TOBACCO INDUSTRY EXPLANATORY

ABBREVIATIONS
JARGON
SPIN-MEISTERS
INITIALS
FIRST & NICKNAMES
Misc.RESEARCH HELP
Smoking-Gun docs.

RELEVANT LINKS

TI Labor Management Committee
James ('Jim') Savarese
Gray Robertson
Healthy Buildings International

 

 

OPINION ONLY

National Energy Management Institute    

(NEMI)

— An organisation supported by the unions which purported to look after member's interests, while actually serving as a front for the tobacco industry. —  

While the name suggests some sort of government agency, this is actually a union-related not-for-profit organisation which was supposedly involved in issues of workplace safety and comfort.

In fact, NEMI trained staff to conducted distorted indoor air-quality [IAQ] testing for the Tobacco Institute in a way that ensured low readings of second-hand smoke. It had a small staff and it acted as a tobacco industry lobby-shop, taking commissions for a range of tasks including witness appearances and media tours.


NEMI is a non-for-profit organisation based in Alexandria, VA, which on the surface, looks decidedly out of place among the air-testing shonk companies like ENV Services, Consolidated Safety Services (CSS), Holcombe, and ACVA/Healthy Buildings International (HBI). However, NEMI was a corrupt labor-orienteed training organisation which developed an intimate relationship with the Tobacco Institute. Its long term detremental effects might have been much greater than the obviously commercial operations.

The Tobacco Institute's Labor Management Committee gave it just under a half-million dollars a year, which was split among four main functionaries who ran the business as a private lobby-shop. It was kept once-removed from the Tobacco Institute, by Jim Savarese, a contract lobbyist/intermediary who worked both through his own company, James Savarese & Associates and Ogilvy & Mather PR.

Jim Savarese, his O&M associates Tom Donahue and Richard Marcus, and the lawyer Mike Forscey also helped the Tobacco Institute run the Labor Management Committee (LMC) which coordinated the tobacco industry activities in influencing the unions.

The current NEMI website carries this puff-piece.



NEMI Current puff piece

The National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) is a not for profit organization sponsored by the Sheet Metal Workers' International Association (SMWIA) and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA). The mission of NEMI is to identify emerging markets and employment opportunities and to develop programs to capitalize on them. This mission encompasses a sense of purpose, a sense of community, a sense of commitment and a pledge to the future.

NEMI's Co-Chairmen are Michael Sullivan, President of SMWIA and David Norris, Co-Chairman of SMACNA Trusts.

We are proud to join together to support the work of the National Energy Management Institute. By working together, we are truly accomplishing more than we could by ourselves. Both our organizations and all our members benefit when Labor and Management can come together and focus all our efforts into reaching common goals. We are a team and when the team wins, everyone wins."


There is no reason to doubt that the current NEMI is a genuine training organisation — but the evidence is also very strong that for many years it (or the people who worked for it) benefitted financially from a close association with the Tobacco Institute, and the promotion of tobacco industry inspired propaganda lines about the problems of indoor air quality (IAQ). In fact, it appears that they often did very little else.

It should also be apparent that the promotion of upgrading, maintenance and replacement of air-conditioning equipment — including sheet-metal ducting — was of financial benefit to owners of many ventilation companies and the workers in these unions. They gained very little from the factual news that sick-building-syndrome was nothing more than the health consequences of passive smoking — so they actively benefitted from the Tobacco Institute propaganda.

The air-conditioning companies and their workers, unions and various air-standards associations all had interests which aligned closely with those of the tobacco companies in placing the emphasis on increased ventillation rates and more equipment, rather than attacking the problem at its source ... workplace smoking — which was causing the premature death of hundreds of thousands of American workers each year..


Some key documents

1981 Dec 1: James Savarese reports to Susan Stuntz at the Tobacco Institute for activites during November (for himself and his employee, Leslie Dawson). His consultancy is specialising in coopting labor and economists, and countering the next Surgeon General's report.

  • met with officials of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) to discuss tax strategy.
  • continued discussion with Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) re national convention
  • continued work with National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) on development of training program and brochure.
  • meetings with Citizens for Tax Justice, Leadership for the New Century, Citizens for Tax Justice, National Economic Commission.
  • on the task force for Airline Cabin Air Quality (weekly meetings/ writing op-eds)
He also lists the successes he has had with getting his network of cash-for-comment economists to plant op-eds on various local newspapers.
  • Prof David Saurman - op-ed on Prop 99 with San Jose Mercury News
        Also numerous reviews of the Tollison/Wagner book "Smoking and the State".
  • Ryan Amacher (Clemson Uni) in The State.
  • Joseph Jadlow (Oklahoma State Uni) in Tulsa Tribune.
  • Todd Sandler (Iowa State Uni) in Fort Dodge Messenger.
  • Robert B Ekelund (Auburn Uni) Montgomery Advertiser.
  • Dwight R Lee (Washington Uni) Regulation Magazine.
  • Samson Kimenyi (Uni of Mississippi) in Jackson Clarion ledger.
  • David ER Gay (Uni of Arkansas) in Arkansas Democrat.

    Also attached are accounts totalling $114,589 for the Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee disbursement.

1986 Nov 14: The Management Plan Progress Report for the Tobacco Institute (by Peter Sparber) lists the schedule of appearances, hearings, conferences, etc.

Strategy II: Maintain a motivated, trained, productive, properly informed and supported workforce.
  • Goals and tactics: New performance improvement procedure drafted and on agenda for discussion at October public affairs managers meeting. Specific training programs scheduled for January.
  • Public Smoking Meetings:
    • 10/31: T. Donahue, Forscey, Marcus, Ross-PASH,
    •       Marcus, Savarese, Forscey, Scannell, J. Golden, D. Lahr - NEMI.


1987 Mar 6: Peter Sparber's Tobacco Institute memo National Energy Management Institute

There seems to be general agreement that public smoking is our toughest issue and that Gray Robertson's efforts have been our most effective way of dealing with it.
[Robertson ran an air-testing and conditioner-maintenance company ACVA/ Healthy Buildings International which worked almost exclusively (and secretly) for the Tobacco Institute.].

    At the Winter Meeting, I spoke briefly about our attempts to work with the ventilation contractors and sheet metal workers union to increase the number of people speaking to the overall air quality issue.

    Attached is a proposal from the National Energy Management Institute (the labor-management committee of the ventilation industry).

    It requests a grant of $241,025 from The Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee — which will be matched by a like amount from the ventilation industry — to provide for the immediate training of more than 1,000 ventilation contractors and journeyman apprentices in all 50 states. Training will permit these individuals to speak out on the indoor air quality [IAQ] issue and to place ETS in the same context established by Gray Robertson.

[Through judicial placement of equipment in corridors and next to doors, plus a bit of judicial application of white-out to their reports, Robertson had made a fortune from the Institute by 'proving' that cigarette smoke was only a minor problem with poor indoor air quality in most office buildings.

    He stressed the need for building operators to spend a fortune on new air-filters and duct cleaning, and increased flow-rates of air [which resulted in higher heating and cooling bills]
.

    NEMI regional offices are located in California, Colorado, Texas, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois. The program would be launched in these key states and move rapidly to other locations which NEMI will select with our help.

    I strongly agree with Issues management staff endorsement of this proposal and will authorize it upon legal clearance, if there are no objections.


1987 June: James Savarese & Associates who specialised in lobbying labor organisation is billing the Tobacco Institute for (1986 - 87 exependitures):

  • 1986 Oct 30 — Video Project Research meeting — $155.57
        The meeting was between Susan Stuntz (Issues Manager at TI) and J. Golden of the Sheetmetal Workers, and D Lahr of NEMI. Ogilvy & Mather also have a representative (R Marcus) there.
  • 1987 Feb 15 — Entertainment-- $550 for R Rondou, (BC&T); J Golden, Sheetmetal, and himself [That would be the equivalent of about $5,000 today]
  • 1987 Mar 12 — Expenses — $68
        [He also billed $161 for a lunch with Chip Foley, Susan Stuntz (both TI) and Marcus (O&M) the day before]


1987 Sept 1: Issue manager Susan Stuntz writes to Jim Savarese outlining eight projects she wants to work on in the following months.

  1. AFL-CIO meeting in Florida
  2. John Lyons will be her backup on the Labor Management Committee
  3. Ray Scannell to advise on when to run the Surgeon-General ETS ads.
  4. Ogilvy & Mather's marketing plan for National Energy Management Institute (NEMI)
  5. Survey of smoker's attitudes towards the hospitality industry (HF&S)
  6. Airline smoking hearings
  7. Tollison double payment
    [Professor Robert Tollison ran the economists network with Jim Savarese. He handled recruitment, and laundered some of the payments via his Center for Study of Public Choice at George Mason University]
  8. CIAR and PASS research program [briefcase air monitoring] Need a backup lab.


1988 Mar 4: The Tobacco Institute is finanacing NEMI newsletter via the Labor Management Committee (LMC).

    Attached is the first issue of NEMINEWS, the newsletter of the National Energy Management Institute. Currently a monthly publication which will eventually be produced quarterly, the newsletter assists NEMI in the marketing of its indoor air quality management program.

        A description of the program and NEMI's involvement in the issue is the topic of Volume 1, Number 1. The upcoming April issue will focus on indoor air quality.

        NEMINEWS is produced with the support of the Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee. Two thousand copies of the newsletter have been printed and will be distributed to NEMI's headquarters and seven regional offices in the U.S. for further distribution to contractors and customers.


1988 Dec 1: James Savarese reports to Susan Stuntz at the Tobacco Institute on his unit's activites during November (for himself and his employee, Leslie Dawson). His consultancy is specialising in coopting labor and economists, and countering the next Surgeon General's report.

  • met with officials of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) to discuss tax strategy.
  • continued discussion with Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) re national convention
  • continued work with National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) on development of training program and brochure.
  • meetings with Citizens for Tax Justice, Leadership for the New Century, Citizens for Tax Justice, National Economic Commission.
  • on the task force for Airline Cabin Air Quality (weekly meetings/ writing op-eds)
He also lists successes he has had with getting economists to plant op-eds on various local newspapers.
  • Prof David Saurman - op-ed on Prop 99 with San Jose Mercury News
        Also numerous reviews of the Tollison/Wagner book "Smoking and the State".
  • Prof Ryan Amacher (Clemson Uni) in The State.
  • Joseph Jadlow (Oklahoma State Uni) in Tulsa Tribune.
  • Todd Sandler (Iowa State Uni) in Fort Dodge Messenger.
  • Robert B Ekelund (Auburn Uni) Montgomery Advertiser.
  • Dwight R Lee (Washington Uni) Regulation Magazine.
  • Samson Kimenyi (Uni of Mississippi) in Jackson Clarion ledger.
  • David ER Gay (Uni of Arkansas) in Arkansas Democrat.
Also attached are the accounts ($114,589 for the Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee disbursement.

    Also attached are the accounts ($114,589 for the Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee disbursement.
  • Citizens for Tax Justice has been paid $6,000
  • The Coalition on Human Needs has been paid $4,000
  • Ogilvy & Mather has been paid $19,092 + $17,924
  • First Star Communications - $7,030
  • James Savarese & Assoc - $ 11,062
  • Zoeller & Associates - $8,000
  • Economic Policy Institute - $5,000
  • Leadership New Century - $7,500
  • Wunder & Diefenderfer - $12,302
  • Joe Daniels - $ 6,154


1988 Dec 1: Consultant James Savarese reports to Susan Stuntz at the Tobacco Institute on his organization's activites during November ( for himself and his employee, Leslie Dawson). His consultancy is specialising in coopting labor and economists, and countering the next Surgeon General's report.

  • met with officials of the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) to discuss tax strategy.
  • continued discussion with Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) re national convention
  • continued work with National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) on development of training program and brochure.
  • meetings with Citizens for Tax Justice, Leadership for the New Century, Citizens for Tax Justice, National Economic Commission.
  • on the task force for Airline Cabin Air Quality (weekly meetings/ writing op-eds)
He also lists successes he has had with getting economists to plant op-eds on various local newspapers.
  • Prof David Saurman - op-ed on Prop 99 with San Jose Mercury News
        Also numerous reviews of the Tollison/Wagner book "Smoking and the State".
  • Prof Ryan Amacher (Clemson Uni) in The State.
  • Joseph Jadlow (Oklahoma State Uni) in Tulsa Tribune.
  • Todd Sandler (Iowa State Uni) in Fort Dodge Messenger.
  • Robert B Ekelund (Auburn Uni) Montgomery Advertiser.
  • Dwight R Lee (Washington Uni) Regulation Magazine.
  • Samson Kimenyi (Uni of Mississippi) in Jackson Clarion ledger.
  • David ER Gay (Uni of Arkansas) in Arkansas Democrat.

    Also attached are the accounts ($114,589 for the Tobacco Industry Labor Management Committee disbursement.

1989 (c): Tobacco Institute Report on the ability of the tobacco industry to respond to hearings on public and airline smoking. Contains a number of lists of experts available to provide witness.


1989: Frank Powell of the National Energy Management Institute is working as a Scientific Witnesses on the IAQ projects of the Tobacco Institute [198992761043]


1989: Record of the services provided to the Tobacco Institute by the National Energy Management Institute [Sep 1989 to Jun 1990]
September:
    • Meeting with congressional committee staff, representatives of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency regarding promotion of NEMI IAQ services
    • Testimony before House subcommittee regarding federal indoor air quality legislation ; press release issued
    • Testimony for Boston City Council supporting broader, less focused IAQ ordinance
    • IAQ training seminars for contractors from four Northeastern states ; media tour on seminar activity
October:
    • Exhibit booth at SMACNA annual convention
    • Presentation to the Associated Air Balance
    • Contractors' National Convention
    • Distributed NEMI Newsletter
    • Three contractor training seminars held in San Antonio, Texas ; media promotion of seminars
November:
    • IAQ presentation at New England District Council meeting
    • IAQ presentation at SMWIA Southwest District Council
    • IAQ presentation at "Breathing Easier about Energy Conservation" seminar sponsored by Nevada Energy Office
    • IAQ interviews with two tv stations
    • IAQ contractor training seminar in Chicago
    • Media tour - Chicago - 4 interviews ; 3 tv, 1 radio
    • IAQ contractor training seminar in Boston
    • Media tour - Boston - 7 interviews ; 2 tv, 5 radio
    • Participated in McGill ETS Symposium
    [See document pages 27 - 30 for further info)


1989: Tobacco Institute: Susan Stuntz "The Plan" for countering public-smoking ban hearings. She writes under "Action Neeeded":

To place the ETS issue in the broader context of indoor air quality.

Gray Robertson, ACVA Atlantic, Inc. is ready and willing. He should be a part of continued private briefings with Congressional staff.
Frank Powell, Director of Engineering for the National Energy Management Institute, is available to brief Congressional staff and members on ventilation standards and indoor air quality issues. He also is available to testify at hearings as appropriate. Briefings and testimony may include use of two videos on indoor air quality, one featuring Sheet Metal Workers union president Ed Carlough; one produced by the Service Employees International Union.

[Both videos produced with tobacco industry money under Tobacco Institute control.]



1989 Jan 4: The Tobacco Institute's James Savarese was responsible for attempts to co-opt both genuine and pseudo/astroturf type operations. He has been making contact with these organizations in order to construct some sort of collaborative effort, At this time the tobacco and chemical industries were still trying to lay blame for health problems on each other. Savarese's report says:

National Energy Management Institute: continued to work with NEMI on development of training program and brochure

National Toxics Campaign: met with officials of the National Toxics Campaign regarding possible coalition work

    The NTC was a genuine organisation which was being conned into assisting he tobacco industry's propsaganda efforts. The NEMI, at this time, was anything but...

1989 April: A Tobacco Institute report on its Communications efforts carries the statement that:

National Energy Management (NEMI) official Frank Powell participated in a Boston press conference announcing the introduction of indoor air quality legislation in Massachusetts. State Rep. Marily Travinski, sponsor of the legislation, AFL-CIO Legislative Director Marty Foley, Utility Workers Local 387 official Joseph Fahety and Boston Teachers Union official Bill Steadman also participated in the press conference. All also testified the next day during a hearing on the legislation.

    NEMI's Powell also appeared live on WBZ-TV to discuss indoor air quality problems and improved ventilation — not source control [ie smoking] — as the solution. The Massachusetts/AFL-CIO news release regarding the press conference and a Boston Herald article on the event and legislation are enclosed.


1989 May 27: Les Zuke has been in contact with Susan Stuntz at the Tobacco Institute. He is seeking union help with his Pittsburgh project, and hopes to get it through the TI's Labor Management Committee. Stuntz reports to the TI heirarchy.

Unfortunately, Zuke had failed to brief me on the program in its entirety, nor had he shared any materials with me in advance, as he had agreed to do. Also, prior to the meeting, it appears that the PR firm [Burson-Marsteller] working with Philip Morris on the project raised strenuous objections to other consultants becoming involved.
The unions objected since Philip Morris was using non-union contractors on the project, and also they objected to:
The absence of the union's National Energy Management Institute in an indoor air quality seminar supported by PM and sponsored by the local chamber. Also, the presence of an anti-union attorney at the same conference.

    [Stuntz summed up saying] The resources being applied to the Pittsburgh program can never.be duplicated by TI given current budget restraints. Nor do we believe the likely outcome of the program warrants large expenditures of money.


1989 June 9: Richard Marcus of Ogilvy & Mather reporting to the Tobacco Institute on its May Activities.

  • Taxes: American Agricultural Movement (AAM) ; Citizens for Tax Justice (CTJ); Coalition on Human Needs (CHN); League of Rural Voters (LVR); Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America (OIC) [They were providing publishing services of some kind].
  • Public Smoking: Federal Union IAQ Issues (American Federal Government Employees [AFGE]); National Energy Management Institute (NEMI)
  • Media Tours: Social Costs Media Tours (Richard Wagner and Bob Tollison); Truth Squad Media Tours [Dave Weeks and Jack Peterson]
  • Labor Coalitions: LMC, unions, Pittsburgh project
  • Ad Bans: Jolly Ann Davidsons media tours.


1989 Sep: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Meeting with congressional committee staff, representatives of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency regarding promotion of NEMI IAQ services.
  • Testimony before House subcommittee regarding federal indoor air quality legislation; press release issued
  • Testimony for Boston City Council supporting broader, less focused IAQ ordinance
  • IAQ training seminars for contractors from four Northeastern states; media tour on seminar activity

See page 7


1989 Oct: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Exhibit booth at SMACNA annual convention
  • Presentation to the Associated Air Balance Contractors' National Convention
  • Distributed NEMI Newsletter
    [This must have been a propaganda sheet from the Tobacco Institute]
  • Three contractor training seminars held in San Antonio, Texas; media promotion of seminars

See page 7


1989 Nov: A report by the Tobacco Institute's Communications Division on "Media Tours by Consultants":

Frank Powell, of the National Energy Management Institute (NRMI), conducted media interviews in Chicago and Boston.

    Powell's media appearances were booked in conjunction with NEMI-sponsored seminars to train local businesses and contractors to identify and treat sick buildings. Reports and transcripts are enclosed.


1989 Nov: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • IAQ [Indoor Air Quality] presentation at New England District Council meeting
  • IAQ presentation at SMWIA Southwest District Council
  • IAQ presentation at "Breathing Easier about Energy Conservation" seminar sponsored by Nevada Energy Office -
  • IAQ interviews with two tv stations
  • IAQ contractor training seminar in Chicago
  • Media tour - Chicago - 4 interviews; 3 tv, 1 radio
  • IAQ contractor training seminar in Boston
  • Media tour - Boston - 7 interviews; 2 tv, 5 radio
  • Participated in McGill ETS Symposium
    [This was an enormously expensive, closed conference run by Philip Morris with hundreds of consultants at McGill University in Canada. It was both a training session in deceptive science presentation, and the excuse to publish a scientific 'proceedings' about ETS (passive smoking).]

See page 7


1989 Dec: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Meeting with City of Boston officials to discuss IAQ issues
  • IAQ Presentation to the DC Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers.

See page 7


1990: A report on the "Media tours" and activities of key Tobacco Institute consultants has a section on Indoor Pollution, which lists the National Energy Management Institute as having provided numerous services to the tobacco industry:

  • Sep 1989 — Meeting with congressional committee staff, representatives of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency regarding promotion of NEMI IAQ services.
    • Testimony before House subcommittee regarding federal indoor air quality legislation ; press release issued
    • Testimony for Boston City Council supporting broader, less focused IAQ ordinance
    • IAQ training seminars for contractors from four Northeastern states ; media tour on seminar activity
  • Oct 1989 — Exhibit booth at SMACNA annual convention
    • Presentation to the Associated Air Balance Contractors' National Convention
    • Distributed NEMI Newsletter
    • Three contractor training seminars held in San Antonio, Texas ; media promotion of seminars
  • Nov 1989 — IAQ presentation at New England District Council meeting
    • IAQ presentation at SMWIA Southwest District Council
    • IAQ presentation at "Breathing Easier about Energy Conservation" seminar sponsored by Nevada Energy Office
    • IAQ interviews with two TV stations
    • IAQ contractor training seminar in Chicago
    • Media tour - Chicago - 4 interviews ; 3 tv, 1 radio
    • IAQ contractor training seminar in Boston
    • Media tour - Boston - 7 interviews ; 2 tv, 5 radio
    • Participated in McGill ETS Symposium [Philip Morris's closed conference]
  • Dec 1989 — Meeting with City of Boston officials to discuss IAQ issues
    • IAQ Presentation to the DC Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers
  • Jan 1990 — Legislative Appearance - New Hampshire Senate Committee hearing
    • Completed second full scale IAQ study at a municipal building near Denver
    • Met with Capital Area AFGE representatives
    • Met with Cherokee Nation officials and 4 contractors on IAQ investigations and project development
    • Presentation to Boston contractors on IAQ Services Program
    • Meeting with Central Florida SMACNA Contractors on IAQ Services Program
    • Presentation to SMOHIT Trustees, staff and consultants on IAQ Services
  • Feb 1990 — Meeting with Massachusetts and New York AFL-CIO
        staffs
    • Met BOMA's government relations staff to provide input on BOMA/EPA IAQ manual [Building Operators and Managers Assoc]
    • Coordinated Industry's response Montgomery County no smoking initiative. Five letters were sent including one SMWIA's General President
    • Coordinated Industry's response to the New Hampshire initiative
    • IAQ contractor training seminar in New York City
    • Media tour - New York City - 3 interviews, 3 radio
  • Mar 1990 — IAQ presentation to building engineers at the New Jersey Energy Expo
    • Presentation on IAQ Services to AFGE "Workplace Safety Conference" sponsored by IUD
    • Met with representatives of the Michigan AFSCME and AFL-CIO on IAQ problems in municipal buildings
  • Apr 1990 — IAQ Services booth at Earth Day activities on the Mall in Washington, DC.
    • Media activities to promote the IAQ Instructor Training in Columbus, Ohio
    • Presentations to SWMIA officials of both the Mid West and Southeast Councils
    • Participated in a meeting with the AFL-CIO IAQ Committee and R Axelrad, Director of the EPA IAQ program
    • Presentation to the Executive Committee of the Boston Real Estate Managers Association
    • IAQ instructor training in Columbus, Ohio
    • IAQ contractor training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • May 1990 — Presentation before the New England Council of SMWIA
    • Presentation to Western Region Associated Air Balance Council Contractors
    • Presentation to sheet metal industry training coordinators in Minneapolis, Minnesota
    • Presentation to 40 Barber Coleman representatives from across the US
          Sacramento, California television interview on IAQ
    • Instructor training session in Sacramento, California
  • Jun 1990 — Meeting with representatives of the Occupational Health Institute on IAQ issues
    • Presentation to the NE Council of the Sheet Metal Workers' Union
    • Presentation to the Canadian Conference of Sheet Metal Workers
    • Presentation to the SMACNA Chapter Managers Conference
    • Presentation to the Oregon Indoor Air Quality Legislative Committee on behalf of the Oregon AFL-CIO


    • IAQ = Indoor Air Quality
    • BOMA = Building Operators and Managers Association
    • SMACNA = Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association
    • SWMIA = Sheet Metal Workers International Association
    • AFSCME = American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees
    • AFGE = American Federation of Government Employees.
    • MSMOHIT = Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust
    • McGill = A seminar held by Philip Morris at McGill University, which brought together many of the tobacco-friendly research scientists both as a training program for contractors, and to produce what was essentially a text-book on Indoor Air Quality, to 'prove' that second hand smoke (ETS) wasn't a problem.

1990 Jan: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Legislative Appearance - New Hampshire Senate Committee hearing
  • Completed second full scale IAQ study at a municipal building near Denver
  • Met with Capital Area AFGE representatives
  • Met with Cherokee Nation officials and 4 contractors on IAQ investigations and project development
  • Presentation to Boston contractors on IAQ Services Program
  • Meeting with Central Florida SMACNA Contractors on IAQ Services Program
  • Presentation to SMOHIT Trustees, staff and consultants on IAQ Services

See page 8


1990 Jan: The Tobacco Institute's Public Affairs Management Plan Progress Report Page 7 "Public Smoking Issue" report by Sharon Ransom and Kay Thomas says:

The National Energy Management Institute (NEMI) agreed to cosponsor the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) health and safety conference scheduled for March 7-9 in Silver Spring, Maryland. The conference, which is being coordinated by the AFL-CIO's Industrial Union Department, will feature an afternoon session on indoor air quality and ventilation.

    NEMI began working with AFGE District 14 to conduct an indoor air quality investigation at the union's national headquarters. The planned investigation reflects AFG's continued concern about workplace air quality and its continued interest in working with NEMI and the sheet metal industry on IAQ mitigation strategies.

    NEMI IAQ contractor training seminars were scheduled for late February in New York and mid-March in Philadelphia; four additional training sites were identified for the spring schedule. The spring seminars will represent 12 contractor training seminars completed and approximately 300 contractors trained.

    NEMI also scheduled its first instructor IAQ training programs for mid-April in Columbus, Ohio and mid-May in Sacramento.

    Two NEMI representatives contacted officials in Montgomery County, Maryland to oppose pending smoking restriction legislation.

    John DeConcini, president of the Bakery Confectionery and Tobacco Workers International Union, submitted testimony in opposition to Montgomery County bill 51-89. Joslyn Williams, president of Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO, drafted a letter to the council opposing the smoking restriction legislation. Edward Carlough, president of Sheet Metal Workers International Association, also drafted a letter of opposition to...       [ REDACTED ]
    At the request of the state AFL-CIO, NEMI's Frank Powell also testified before the New Hampshire state legislature in opposition to public smoking legislation.

[Note: Powell and the NEMI worked on contract for the Tobacco Institute.]


1990 Jan: The Tobacco Institute's Communications Activites report says:

Frank Powell of the National Energy Management Institute (NEHI) conducted three radio interviews to coincide with NEMI's New York City training session. During the interviews, Powell discussed sick building syndrome from a labor perspective.


1990 Feb: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Meeting with Massachusetts and New York AFL-CIO staffs
  • Met BOMA's [Building Owners/Managers Assn] government relations staff to provide input on BOMA/EPA IAQ manual
  • Coordinated Industry's response Montgomery County no smoking initiative. Five letters were sent including one SMWIA's General President
  • Coordinated Industry's response to the New Hampshire initiative
  • IAQ contractor training seminar in New York City
  • Media tour - New York City - 3 interviews, 3 radio

See page 9


1990 Mar: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • IAQ presentation to building engineers at the New Jersey Energy Expo
  • Presentation on IAQ Services to AFGE "Workplace Safety Conference" sponsored by IUD
  • Met with representatives of the Michigan AFSCME and AFL-CIO on IAQ problems in municipal buildings

See page 9


1990 Apr: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Services booth at Earth Day activities on the Mall in Washington, DC.
  • Media activities to promote the IAQ Instructor Training in Columbus, Ohio
  • Presentations to SWMIA officials of both the Mid West and Southeast Councils
  • Participated in a meeting with the AFL-CIO IAQ Committee and R. Axelrad, Director of the EPA IAQ program
  • Presentation to the Executive Committee of the Boston Real Estate Managers Association
  • IAQ instructor training in Columbus, Ohio
  • IAQ contractor training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See page 9


1990 May: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Presentation before the New England Council of SMWIA
  • Presentation to Western Region Associated Air Balance Council Contractors
  • Presentation to sheet metal industry training coordinators in Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Presentation to 40 Barber Coleman representatives from across the U.S.
  • Sacramento, California television interview on IAQ
  • Instructor training session in Sacramento, California

See page 7


1990 Jun: The National Energy Management Institute was reported as serving the Tobacco Institute by:

  • Meeting with representatives of the Occupational Health Institute on IAQ issues
  • Presentation to the NE Council of the Sheet Metal Workers' Union
  • Presentation to the Canadian Conference of Sheet Metal Workers
  • Presentation to the SMACNA Chapter Managers Conference
  • Presentation to the Oregon Indoor Air Quality Legislative Committee on behalf of the Oregon AFL-CIO

See page 7


1990 Aug 3: Sam Chilcote at the Tobacco Institute has advised the Members of the Executive Committee of plans to develop a celebrity speakers program using academics and other expert consultants. There are offer the speakers both money and personal promotion:

[W]hile it is clear that there are a number of individuals who can and are speaking out on our issues independent of The Institute, there also is much more that could be done. There are, for example, opportunities to develop higher profiles for those individuals with whom we enjoy an existing relationship, and to increase within the media an awareness of their availability.

    There also are a number of individuals who have been identified who do not currently have a relationship with the industry, but whose views appear to be compatible with our own. Should the Executive Committee decide that it wants to proceed with an expansion of our speakers' program, these individuals would be contacted to determine their interest in our issues.

    The addition of new speakers to our program will be expensive. Most of these individuals command substantial consulting fees; media and other activity will require a new commitment of funds, although an exact amount cannot be determined until candidates have been approached.
He then lists:
  • Authors, newscasters and newspaper columnists
  • Well-known politicians, political aides, White House staffers, State authorities, agency administrators, etc
  • Heads of various coalition groups (American Advertising Federation. etc)
  • Cash-for-comments legal and business academics from Savarese's network list.
  • Cash-for-comments 'risk assessment' academics and promoter.
  • Cash-for-comment experts in indoor air pollution and ventilation systems.
  • Cash-for-comment academic economists
  • Many other collaborators and some likely allies:
This person along with about a hundred others, is thought to be a potential speaker and is credited with recent achievements on behalf of the Tobacco Institute. The category heading was
Indoor Pollution Group:

[Frank Powell & James T Golden]
National Energy Management Institute

[NEMI was supposedly a labor/union workplace health and safety monitor organisation, but its operators sold out to the Tobacco Institute and began to run it as a private think-tank.
They were generally trusted by everyone because they were seen as being on the side of the working man — not the bosses.]

9/89 Meeting with congressional committee staff, representatives of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency regarding promotion of NEMI.IAQ services
- Testimony before House subcommittee regarding federal indoor air quality legislation; press release issued
- Testimony for Boston City Council supporting broader, less focused IAQ ordinance
- IAQ training seminars for contractors from four
- Northeastern states; media tour on seminar activity

10/89 Exhibit booth at SMACNA annual convention
- Presentation to the Associated Air Balance Contractors' National Convention
- Distributed NEMI Newsletter
- Three contractor training seminars held in San Antonio, Texas; media promotion of seminars

11/89 IAQ presentation at New England District Council meeting
- IAQ presentation at SMWIA Southwest District Council
- IAQ presentation at "Breathing Easier about Energy Conservation" seminar sponsored by Nevada Energy Office
- IAQ interviews with two tv stations
- IAQ contractor training seminar in Chicago
- Media tour - Chicago - 4 interviews; 3 tv, 1 radio
- IAQ contractor training seminar in Boston
- Media tour - Boston - 7 interviews; 2 tv, 5 radio
- Participated in McGill ETS Symposium [PM's fake science conference]

12/89 Meeting with City of Boston officials to discuss IAQ issues
- IAQ Presentation to the DC Chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers

1/90 Legislative Appearance - New Hampshire Senate Committee hearing
- Completed second full scale IAQ study at a municipal building near Denver
- Met with Capital Area AFGE representatives
- Met with Cherokee Nation officials and 4 contractors on IAQ investigations and project development
- Presentation to Boston contractors on IAQ Services Program
- Meeting with Central Florida SMACNA Contractors on IAQ Services Program [Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Assn]
- Presentation to SMOHIT Trustees, staff and consultants on IAQ Services

2/90 Meeting with Massachusetts and New York AFL-CIO staffs
- Met BOMA's government relations staff to provide input on BOMA/EPA IAQ manual [Buliding Operators and Managers Assn]
- Coordinated Industry's response Montgomery County no smoking initiative. Five letters were sent including one SMWIA's General President
- Coordinated Industry's response to the New Hampshire initiative
- IAQ contractor training seminar in New York City
- Media tour - New York City - 3 interviews, 3 radio

3/90 IAQ presentation to building engineers at the New Jersey Energy Expo
- Presentation on IAQ Services to AFGE "Workplace Safety Conference" sponsored by IUD
- Met with representatives of the Michigan AFSCME and AFL-CIO on IAQ problems in municipal buildings

4/90 IAQ Services booth at Earth Day activities on the Mall in Washington, DC.
- Media activities to promote the IAQ Instructor Training in Columbus, Ohio
- Presentations to SWMIA officials of both the Mid West and Southeast Councils
- Participated in a meeting with the AFL-CIO IAQ Committee and R. Axelrad, Director of the EPA IAQ program
- Presentation to the Executive Committee of the Boston Real Estate Managers Association
- IAQ instructor training in Columbus, Ohio
- IAQ contractor training in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

5/90 Presentation before the New England Council of SMWIA
- Presentation to Western Region Associated Air Balance Council Contractors
- Presentation to sheet metal industry training coordinators in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Presentation to 40 Barber Coleman representatives from across the US.
- Sacramento, California television interview on IAQ
- Instructor training session in Sacramento, California

6/90 Meeting with representatives of the Occupational Health Institute on IAQ issues
- Presentation to the NE Council of the Sheet Metal Workers * Union
- Presentation to the Canadian Conference of Sheet Metal Workers
- Presentation to the SMACNA Chapter Managers Conference
- Presentation to the Oregon Indoor Air Quality Legislative Committee on behalf of the Oregon AFL-CIO



1991: The Tobacco Institute's "Public Affairs Files" has a list of Consultant:

  • Programs IAQ — NEMI 1988-99 1 & 2
  • Programs IAQ — NEMI 1990-91


1991: The Tobacco Institute's "Public Affairs Files" has a long list of Consultants, Coalitions and Programs: NEMI has a number of listings


1991 Jan: Public Smoking report of the Tobacco Institute lists 39 pages of their activities. It includes many major and minor activities to counter the ETS claims, including:

  • We authorized initial development of a conference on science and policy, which would include a session on ETS and the EPA ETS risk assessment, to be sponsored by an independent scientific organization.
  • We began working with a potential new member of the scientific witness team and provided ETS review materials to an additional candidate for initial consideration.
  • We prepared for the annual scientific witness team ETS update meeting scheduled for February.
  • We began working with Healthy Buildings International to obtain detailed data on workplace air contaminants for possible use in providing information to OSHA on workplace air quality.
  • NEMI conducted a contractor training seminar in Des Moines, Iowa.
        In conjunction with the seminar, Frank Powell was interviewed for
        two radio public affairs programs and a television news program
    .


1991 Mar 13: This is a semi-government labor organisation. The Tobacco Institute appears to have paid for and run the magazine NEMI News. It was used here as an example of how the HBI Magazine should be handled.


1991 Mar 31: Memo: HBI Magazine comes back to you for further consideration and work. Martin Gleeson of TI is running the HBI Magazine operation — taken over from Matt Winokur.

Matt Winokur, as his last official act at PM USA (he's moving back to International, which means he's no longer a CommComm participant), brainstormed with me a bit on ways to attempt to make this magazine more useful to our agenda. So far we've basically gone along with whatever Gray wanted to do, which was fine from his perspective but doesn't do much for us.

    There are ways that we can cut costs, target audiences and perhaps make better use of the resource. Some of this will mean that staff becomes more directly involved in the production of the thing, which should be happening anyway, given the investment we've made.
He quotes the NEMI News as an example of more cost-effective magazine lobbying

1991 May 27: Susan Stuntz [Tobacco Institute's Issues Manager] handwritten note from the OSHA hearing on IAQ. She writes to Karen [Drangan at PM?] "This one needs to be brought under control quick" Another note says:

We need to review stuff NEMI does on IAQ — we or Kay (copy me)Stuff that is prepared for BC&T — we need to review 1stMG [Martin Gleason] — direct with [James] Salverese or [James] Golden.


1991 July 9: Kay Packett of the Tobacco Institute writes to Tom Ogburn who handles "Issues Management" at the Tobacco Institute, telling him that she has a report from the NEMI which has 'sponsored a booth at the exhibit" [Human Resouces Management Exhibit, Cincinnati Ohio].

    The TI has an "agreement to pay all consultant invoices directly and seek reimbursement from the sponsoring company. Healthy Buildings International (HBI) have invoiced fo $10,264, [for Jeff Secker and Rich Silberman + expenses] which will be passed on to Reynolds. http://legacy.library.ucsf.edu/tid/fbu83b00/pdf


1991 Sep: Tobacco Institute "Ongoing Issue Activity Checklist" records:
    • NEMI Grant Proposal (Rinker/PAR) Proposal - 2nd draft delivered — discussion to resume in October
    • NEMI News (Fernicola /PAR) Fall issue deadline Oct — Articles cleared in September, publication expected in October.
    • NEMI White Paper (Rinker/PAR) in draft stages with May deadline - second draft delivered (Being handled by Kay [Packett])


1992: NEMI received about $1 million a year in 1992 and 1993 for IAQ program [2046847184] (NEMI) [TIDN0017581]


1992 Apr 13: James Savarese writes to Susan Stuntz at the Tobacco Institute about a new contractors manual put out by the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) [A natural ally of the tobacco industry] Jim Golden of the NEMI wants $18,000 from the TI's Labor Management Committee to review and comment on the manual.

    Savarese and Carey (from Ogilvy Adams & Reinhard) think this expenditure should be approved.

After reviewing the manual (especially the notations that refer to tobacco smoke), we believe that our input can vastly improve the document. While this draft demonstrates how far we have come with SMACNA, we believe our input can reinforce our position on specific issues included in the text.

    The manual is widaly distributed to contractors and workers in the sheet metal and HVAC industry. It is one of the major sources of information and direction for ventilation projacts, and its advocacy on several of our issues is a great benefit to our program.


1992 Oct: TI. Tobacco Institute's Proposed Budget 1993 demonstrates their relationship with NEMI. They gave the organization [See Page 97] -

Public Smoking Issues:
  • Spokespersons for seminars and testimony $200,000 in both 1992 and 93
  • Federal regulatory support [lobbying] $125,000 (92) and $175,000 (93)
  • State regulatory support $100,000 (92) and $150,000 (93)
  • NEMI promotional materials $150,000 (92) and $75,000 (93)
  • Building studies $ 70,000 both years
  • IAQ training sessions $ 60,000 both years
  • Misc promotion $100,000 both years


1993 Jun 8: Tobacco Institute Labor Managment Committee financial accounts. For the Month of May:

Disbursements — lobbying expenditures — $ 65,000


1993 Sept: A NEMI newsletter reveals taht Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan were persauded by NEMI to reverse their no-smoking policy, and to upgrade their airconditioning system instead with special filters.
    James Golden is now Administrator at NEMI. The organisation both certifies and trains building contractors to install adequate air conditioning systems, Golden explained that the NEMI also sells IAQ test kits and equipment:

"With this kit in hand, no other tools are needed for the typical initial IAQ survey." The kit provides a contractor with the equipment and capabilities to:
  • measure the existence of airborne constituents, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, ozone, high and low hydrocarbons, and nitrogen dioxide;
  • gauge instantaneous plus/min/max readings for temperature and relative humidity;
  • detect airflow patterns with a non-toxic smoke bulb and test tubes;
  • test sampling plates and swabs for bacteria and mold;
  • access AHU panels with tools equipped with replaceable bits;
  • learn how to use the gas detection pump by watching the instructional video;
  • record all IAQ readings on the reproducible data collection forms; and
  • produce a full report to the building owner using an IAQ report guide that directs the contractor from filling in test results forms to a completed, quality project
"The NEMI kit is perfect for contractors just starting out or for experienced contractors who want the tools of the trade in a compact, organized case," said Golden. "The comprehensive NEMI IAQ test kit makes possible thorough, convenient and reliable testing."
It could be ordered from NEMI for $1,595 — and you could then set up in the ventilation business.

    Frank Powell and James Golden were both making presentations and giving seminars and training sessions on IAQ testing.

1993 Oct 14: Susan Stunts reports to Sam Chilcote re the Tobacco Industry's Labor Management Committee. She provides a long list of anecdotal references to supposed lobbying successes (with union help) in the past year.[See doc.]
    • State Activities: Washington State, California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota
    • Federal Activities:

DNC Chairman David Wilhelm "took the gloves off' against special interest groups including the National Rifle Association, the health insurance industry and Citizens for a Sound Economy... the tobacco industry was notable for its absence.

    At OSHA, rt was a representative of the National Energy Management Institute - not the tobacco industry - to whom OSHA officials turned when they sought help in making a case for an indoor air quality standard as opposed to an ETS standard. We are still not out of the woods there - but OSHA officials have gone back to NEMI for some additional help.
[Much more on NEMI here]
    Re budget:
  • $780,000 goes to the National Energy Management Institute, which handles all testimony at the federal, state and local levels on indoor air and smoking restriction issues, works with state and local business and restaurant groups to offer alternatives to smoking bins, and appears at grievance hearings for unions fighting smoking bans. NEMI also has submitted extensive comments on EPA indoor air manuals, on the OSHA rulemaking and on state regulatory proposals.

    She also writed about IAQ support:
The only group that the LMC supports in the IAQ area is the National Energy Management Institute. The total support to that group is $780,000 annually — or $65,000/month. It is important to note that this is a grant - and that NEMI as part of the grant agreement contributes twice as much in staff support and in its own funding. A copy of its August report of activity undertaken as a result of this support is attached and may prove instructive for those questioning the extent or nature of NEMI's activity.

    The NEMI program is designed to work with sheet metal workers and contractors nationwide to generate support for indoor air quality improvement measures that in turn will result in jobs for the sheet metal industry. As examples of its activities this year:

    NEMI maintains a dozen regional offices - and as a result is the only indoor air organization that testifies on lAQ/smoking restriction matters that can claim a local interest.

    With these funds, NEMI assumes responsibility for training IAQ contractors nationwide and providing them with support that they need to market their ejqpertise. tt also is available for testimony at the state and local level, and to meet with allied groups to develop alternatives to smoking bans.

    Currently NEMI officials in Texas are meeting with the Corpus Christi Restaurant Association to develop a plan to oppose a smoking ban there.

    Earlier this year NEMI persuaded Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan to reverse a twoyear- old smoking ban and instead to include in a $1 million ventilation retrofit plans for smoking lounges in the cafeteria. That has now been accomplished.

    NEMI also was asked by Sen. Ford's office to work with the VA in developing plans to restore smoking areas to VA facilities.

    NEJVII's work at OSHA has been noted elsewhere.


1993 Dec 28: Philip Morris USA ETS program planning for 1994 includes

  • Develop agenda and co-sponsors for IAQ forums and risk assessment forums: Reason , Hoover, Heritage, Claremont, Pacific Research, Annapolis Center.
        [This job was given to Roy Marden and Tom Borelli — RM/TB]
  • Draft and send op-eds on IAQ, risk etc. by third parties such as
    • IRP [Inst. for Regulatory Policy = Thorn Auchter],
    • TIEQ [Total Indoor Env. Quality = Matt Swetonic]
    • BCIA [Bus Council on Indoor Air = Paul Cammer],
    • NEMI [Nat. Energy Management Inst = Frank Powell] and
    • HBI [Healthy Buildings Int'l = Gray Roberston ]

        [This job was given to Tom Hockaday at APCO]
  • Enlist support of think tanks such as Reason, Hoover, Heritage, Claremont, Pacific Legal, to write op-eds on EPA, IAQ and risk, and to host forums for
        business/media. (RM/TB).


1994: NEMI personel.

  • The Administrator of the NEMI in the 1980s was James T Golden. but the main contact with the Tobacco Institute was through Frank Powell. Powell appears to have run the NEMI as if it were a private think-tank. They had a half-million dollar budget in 1994-95
  • Dick Peck appears to have been Chairman of NEMI and chief liason with the Tobacco Institute.
  • Alex Willman, who worked for NEMI, also had a close relationship with HBI and Jeff Seckler and Seckler's later BEST Institute.
  • Eli Howard worked with the unions
  • Jack Webster worked with some unions
  • Bob Martinez and Jerry Olejniczak were involved in some of the training programs
  • Attorney Richard Gross was also involved.


1994 Mar 17: The NEMI (Alexander J Willman and Jim Golden) is circulating to union members a request to attack the Waxman bill on passive smoking. He promotes the idea that the sheet metal industry will gain from ventilation upgrades.


1994 Nov 17: Witness at Occupational ETS hearing at Congress.
    National Energy Management Institute 601 North Fairfax St, Suit 160 Alexandria, VA

  • Alexander J Willman,
  • Arthur Moore
  • Bruce Landtrip
  • Jerald Olejniczk

    Witness was organised by Tobacco Institute (Handled by TILMC ???)... [possibly Tobacco Institute, Legislative Management Committee.]

1994 Nov 17: Witness at Occupational ETS hearing at Congress organised by Tobacco Institute,
    • Alexander J Willman
    • Arthur Moore
    • Bruce Landtrip
    • Jerald Olejniczk


1994 Dec 4: [Feb 7 1995] Diana Avedon of the Tobacco Institute circulates quotes by the tobacco industry's witnesses at the recent OSHA hearings on proposed rules on IAQ.

The proposed rule covers indoor air quality in general, however, environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has received a disproportionate amount of attention at the hearing. The proposed rule would effectively ban smoking anywhere anyone works — including restaurants, bars, hotels, motels and individual offices.
She quotes:
Alexander Willman, Director of Engineering and Air Quality Programs National Energy Management Institute (NEMI)
November 18,1994 - Transcript pg. 6892

    Willman discussed the recent findings of a study of ETS in office buildings jointly conducted by NEMI and the Occupational Health Foundation of the AFL-CIO. He said the study, which was conducted in workplaces that allowed smoking and in adjacent areas on the same ventilation system, revealed that nicotine levels in nonsmoking areas were below the level of detection by the independent laboratory conducting the chemical analysis. He concluded, "From these results, it is apparent that the buildings in which the ventilation system is properly designed, installed and maintained, there should not be a need for separate smoking rooms."


1995 Mar: /E "Post Hearing Comments in Federal OSHA IAQ Proceedings.
Labor Management Committee:

NEMI
  • Expand four-building study submitted to OSHA to validate conclusions that separate smoking sections mitigate ETS exposures by studying six additional buildings (three in St. Louis and three in Seattle). — $ 65,000

        Respond to OSHA questions on original fourbuilding study on distances between smokers and non-smokers, air flow Tates and other variables.

  • Study ETS and several measures of IAQ in an additional 10 buildings — five being in CA bars and $140,000 restaurants, (this would not be available for the July OSHA deadline — available in September). — $140,000

  • Review avaiable data and methodology from the California Health Department 23-building study on ETS, released during a November 1994 ASHRAE meeting and be prepared to submit review for the record. — $15,000

  • Supplement the NEMI Productivity Study — a study that supports OSHA's case that IAQ improvements increase productivity — by
    1. estimating productivity losses for health effects, such as Legionnaire's Disease or occupational asthma,
    2. estimating productivity benefits in buildings above and below 10,000 square feet, and
    3. provide additional information and scientific citations tosupport productivity estimates.— $ 65,000


  • Prepare a post-hearing brief to support the position taken by NEMI in its comments and testimony.. [No fee]

BCIA Prepare a post hearing brief to support comments and testimony [No fee]


1995 June: Report on the TI's Indoor Air Quality Services Program.

  • Dick Peck met several titnes during the month of June with Bill Bryan, CPA, to discuss the NEMI program. Bill Bryan will work with NEMPs financial department;
  • Dick Peck met with members of the Tobacco Institute during the first part of June;
  • Dick Peck arranged and attended a five day meeting of all NEMI field coordinators in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. NEMI's indoor air quality was a major topic for discussion each day, including training sessions, IAQ test kit, How To manual, IAQ seminars, etc.;
  • Dick Peck hired three new field coordinators to represent NEMI and NEMI's Indoor Air Quality program in the areas of Dallas, Seattle and Minneapolis;


1996 Jan 18: Eli P Howard III of the NEMI is sending Tom Donnahue (working with Jim Savarese) the final draft of the NEMI Fact Sheet for 20 building surveys conducted 1994-95. They are also being asked to create propaganda base on the Congressional Research Service (CRS... very dubious) study, and are smart enough not to get involved, saying:

Since NEMI is not in the medical profession, it would not be of benefit to have NEMI either support or oppose the medical findings in the CRS study.

    He also sends some early copy of a proposed change to ASHRAE ventilation standards.

1996 Feb 4: The proposed changes to the ASHRAE standards sent to Tom Donahue are passed on to Walter Woodson at the Tobacco Institute.


1996 Aug 29: The DC Circuit Court of Appeals denied the NEMI's amicus brief in a case ASH vs OSHA (trying to force the OSHA to act)


1997 Jul: NEMI IAQ Services Program Status and Financial Report for the tobacco industry's Labor Managment Committee. This details the activities of

  • Dick Peck
  • Frank Powell
  • Richard Jackson
  • Jim Golden
They are also working with James Savarese.

    The budget section details the amoung spent on Government Relations, Public Affairs, State Projects, Training, Industry Relations and Administration. Overall "Monthly Requests" require tobacco funding of $41,866.00 for a half-million overall budget.

2005 Jan 27: Disposition of Steve Parrish. The lawyer asks:

"Q. The National Energy Management Institute here in nearby Alexandria — are you aware that that's the organization of another Tobacco Institute consultant, Frank Powell? "


2011 Jan 13: American Journal of Public Health: Manufacturing Credibility: The National Energy Management Institute and the Tobacco Institute's Strategy for Indoor Air Quality by Richard B. Campbell, ScD and Edith D. Balbach, PhD with the Community Health Program, Tufts University, Medford, MA.
Correspondence: Correspondence should be sent to Richard B. Campbell, Community Health Program, Tufts University, 112 Packard Ave, Medford, MA 02155 (e-mail: richard.campbell@tufts.edu).

Objectives: We studied tobacco industry efforts during the 1980s and 1990s to promote the National Energy Management Institute (NEMI), a nonprofit organization, as an authority on indoor air quality as part of the industry's strategy to oppose smoke-free worksite policies.

    The tobacco industry provided more than US $6 million to NEMI to establish it as an authority on indoor air quality and to work with it to undermine support for smoke-free air policies by promoting ventilation as a solution to indoor air quality problems. Tobacco industry support for NEMI was not publicly disclosed.

    NEMI was a valuable ally for the tobacco industry through NEMI's ties to organized labor, its technical background, and its status as a third-party actor. NEMI also helped the industry to portray ventilation to improve overall indoor air quality and smoke-free worksites as an either—or choice; in fact, both can improve worker health.

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