EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt has made headlines over the past week over revelations that he has been renting a townhouse from the wife of the lobbyist for Cheniere Energy for below-market cost. Cheniere is the nation’s largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG), and landed a multi-billion contract to supply China’s market last November. The townhouse is owned by the wife of J. Steven Hart, who runs the lobbying firm that represents Cheniere and other fossil fuel corporations.
It has also been reported that, while enjoying the $50-per-night perks of his D.C. townhouse, Pruitt and members of his staff spent about $40,000 in taxpayer funds to fly to Morocco in December to help encourage the North African kingdom to import LNG from the United States, despite the fact that the EPA does not regulate LNG exports. Cheniere owns the only currently operational LNG export terminal, so Pruitt’s plug directly benefitted the company’s interests.
Cheniere paid Hart’s firm $80,000 in 2017 to lobby on “issues related to the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), approval of LNG exports and export facilities.”
It is also well reported that Pruitt has numerous ties to organizations funded by the Kochs, and that the Kochs spent millions to promote Pruitt’s nomination to head the EPA.
Now comes the interesting news that completes the circle. The Center for Media and Democracy has learned that Koch Industries bought shares in Cheniere Energy during the fourth quarter last year, around the time of Pruitt’s trip to Morocco. Koch still owns the shares.
Koch Industries is itself a major player in the LNG market, and is eagerly eyeing the global market.
Cheniere Energy has been a member of the Koch-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), and has held a seat on the pay-to-play organization’s Energy task force.
An exclusive investigation conducted by DeSmogBlog in 2014 revealed that Cheniere acted as the lead corporate backer of the LNG exports ALEC model Resolution In Support of Expanded Liquefied Natural Gas Exports.
Yes, Icahn was somewhat involved. Koch bought into Cheniere because LNG is a big speculative “play” now, and investors, like Icahn and the Kochs, figure his trip could only help. Unfortunately, LNG production still causes C02, ad I think within ten ears we may see more investment in LNG than in solar or wind.
It was my understanding that Carl Icahn was responsible for Pruitt’s visit to Morocco to promote Cheniere Energy and persuade the Moroccans to export their natural gas to America.
Following this trip, Icahn received a financial hardship waiver from Pruitt for CVR Energy, Inc.
Seems like everybody profited except for “the great unwashed.”
The disgraceful and corrupt Pruitt must resign. Our environment and the health of our citizens and visitors to public lands, is at stake with his relentless representation of corporate interests, not for the people of America who pay his wages. This must stop. Change is absolutely necessary.
All I can say is thank you for your work on behalf for our country and fellow citizens. You and your amazing colleagues are the only thing that keeps us in the fight for our country.
I agree, without exposing these asshats and what greed fuels them (pun intended) how will we know where to begin the fight against these dark unethical forces. Whether they be individuals or corporate entities.
The corruption and self serving interests are so deep. Yet industry is coming to the defense of Pruitt as if this is all normal. I can only imagine what he did as AG of OK that he feels so powerful at the EPA that he can behave in such an unethical manner. As a taxpayer, he needs to resign. He is certainly not a role model to hold up to aspiring public civil servants.
The swamp is getting dirtier and dirtier!