An environmental group wants to tar lawmakers who've taken campaign contributions from BP PLC, dubbing those who've received the most as the "BP Ten" and urging them to return the money.

Friends of the Earth charged yesterday that campaign money from BP, the company responsible for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, and other oil companies has created a political environment that's overly friendly to the petroleum industry.

The oil industry contributed more than $48 million to members of Congress in the past two election cycles, the environmental group said, citing data from the Center for Responsive Politics. The money comes through political action committees, which bundle employee contributions.

"Congress has been corrupted by this dirty money," Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica said in a statement. "This corruption has inhibited the transition to clean energy and produced the dangerous drilling policies that led to the disaster in the Gulf."

Friends of the Earth launched its effort to coincide with BP CEO Tony Hayward's congressional testimony on the spill yesterday, but said the campaign would be ongoing and involve efforts in the home states of lawmakers among the "BP Ten."

Aides to many on the list rejected that the campaign contributions had an influence. A spokeswoman for Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), who is one of the 10, scoffed at the likely impact of the environmental group's effort.

"You can't ask for a better endorsement in Alaska than getting blasted on recycled paper by Friends of the Earth," Begich spokeswoman Julie Hasquet said in an e-mail. "Oil and gas companies are a major part of Alaska's economy and employ thousands of people in our state."

In picking its top 10, Friends of the Earth picked the five recipients of the most BP money in the Senate and House. The environmental group looked at contributions received since the 2006 election cycle. Because senators run only every six years, that method automatically pushed up those who were up for re-election in 2006, 2008 or this November.

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) topped the list of BP money recipients with $36,649 in the four-year period. That total includes money he received as the Republican presidential nominee.

Other senators on Friends of the Earth's list are Mary Landrieu (D-La.), who received $16,200; Begich and Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), each of whom received $8,500.

House members who landed in the tally are Reps. John Culberson (R-Texas), with $10,200 from BP; Ron Paul (R-Texas), with $7,300; Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who received $6,500; Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), with $6,000; and Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), with $5,500.

Representing oil workers

A moderate Democrat, Landrieu sits on the Appropriations, Energy and Natural Resources and Homeland Security committees.

"Campaign contributions, from energy companies or from environmental groups, have absolutely no impact on Sen. Landrieu's policy agenda or her response to this unprecedented disaster in the Gulf," Landrieu spokesman Aaron Saunders said. "The Senator is proud of the broad coalition she's built since her first day in the Senate to address the energy and environmental challenges in Louisiana and in the nation."

The oil and gas industry accounts for more than 13 percent of Louisiana's work force, Saunders said, while energy company contributions have made up about 3 percent of the donations to Landrieu's campaign over her career.

Hasquet, with Begich's office, said the he "welcomes the support from the employees of companies who do business in and contribute to a better Alaska.

"He represents the people who live, work and raise families in our state, and believes this is time for Congress to work on a comprehensive energy plan that includes oil and gas development, renewable energy and attention to climate change," Hasquet said.

Murkowski has backed expanded drilling. Murkowski spokesman Robert Dillon said that she represents a state where oil and natural gas resources are extracted.

"Her decisions are not based on her campaign contributions. They're based on what's good for Alaska," Dillon said. "I don't think it's a surprise they they'd contribute to Sen. Murkowski. They're one of the biggest employers in the state."

Dillon questioned why Friends of the Earth opted to omit President Obama from the BP Ten tally.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Obama's presidential campaign in the 2008 cycle received $71,051 from BP employees, the highest amount of any candidate that year.

Friends of the Earth, Dillon said, "is being a little bit devious in their attempts to slur the senator, or at least selective in their targets."

Friends of the Earth didn't purposefully omit Obama, said Nick Berning, director of public advocacy with the environmental group.

"The BP 10 is just a way of identifying politicians," Berning said. "But President Obama ought to give back his money too."

House members

Paul's contribution total also includes money received when he ran in the 2008 Republican presidential primary.

"Dr. Paul receives 97 percent of his campaign contributions from individuals with an average gift of about $100," said Political Director Jesse Benton. "Dr. Paul never participates in the 'pay for play' games too often seen in national politics. Simply put, his vote is never for sale. Big money PACs and special interests rarely donate to him because they know their money will have no influence on the most principled legislator in Congress."

Hoyer spokeswoman Stephanie Lundberg said "it is Congressman Hoyer's policy to accept legal contributions and to pursue the policies he believes are in the best interests of our country irrespective of such contributions."

Culberson, who received the most BP money of House members, sits on the House Appropriations Committee.

"Tens of thousands of my constituents earn their living in the energy industry, including many from BP," Culberson said in an e-mail message. "The contributions I receive are an expression of support for my voting record, and they have no influence on the way I do my job as a representative."