MINNEAPOLIS  -- Several Minneapolis-area companies that have promised to make changes to protect the environment still contribute to politicians who say climate change is a hoax or exaggerated.

Target, Best Buy, General Mills and Cargill signed on to the Obama Administration's American Business Act on Climate Pledge last year, promising to make significant emissions, water use and waste generation reductions.

Together, the companies' contributions to politicians who fight efforts to counter climate change equal about $300,000.

For example, the General Mills Political Action Committee reported that through September it gave $100,000 to candidates who reject mainstream climate science.

General Mills officials say its political action committee is directed by employees, not the company, and that most candidates get support because they represent places where its employees live and work.

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