Following on from the news that the coal industry supplied letters from fake grassroots groups to influence the debate about US energy legislation in congress we've got our hands on a document showing big oil plans to do something similar.

The memo makes clear what the oil companies are planning for the energy debate in the senate. They want to set up a fake grassroots group to help them fear-monger about the terrible consequences of cutting their profits in order to save the planet.

Some choice extracts from the memo include "To be clear, API will provide the up-front resources to ensure logistical issues do not become a problem. This includes contracting with a highly experienced events management company that has produced successful rallies for presidential campaigns, corporations and interest groups."

"Please indicate to your company leadership your strong support for employee participation in the rallies."

and

"Please treat this information as sensitive and ask those in your company to do so as well, as some of these places may be subject to change, and we don’t want critics to know our game plan."

More at Greenpeace USA

Read the full memo and our response here