In a recent development, preliminary findings from a House Republican investigation have revealed that the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has exerted inappropriate influence in the selection process for groups overseeing a federal climate reporting initiative. The investigation, conducted by the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee’s oversight subcommittee, highlights how the CEQ influenced federal acquisition regulations to favor environmental activist groups with ties to Democrat donors and CEQ staff.
According to evidence obtained by the committee, the CEQ successfully lobbied the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to outsource the Biden administration’s climate reporting and disclosure initiative to two U.K. environmental groups: the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). This revelation calls into question the entire rulemaking process for these disclosure requirements, according to House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Frank Lucas.
Lucas expressed concerns about the requirement for U.S. contractors to disclose their emissions to a private foreign entity without any accountability to Congress or the American people. He emphasized that the committee would continue its investigation until it received satisfactory answers from the White House.
The issue began in May 2021 when President Biden ordered the FAR Council to develop regulations requiring federal contractors to disclose greenhouse gas emissions and set science-based reduction targets. In November 2022, the FAR Council published a proposal that specifically outsourced policy to foreign nonprofits, mandating all emissions disclosures be made through CDP and all targets be validated by SBTi.
This move has drawn criticism from Republicans, who argue that the federal government should not be picking winners and losers. The GOP memo highlights additional documents and communications that contradict CEQ Chief Sustainability Officer Andrew Mayock’s under-oath testimony, suggesting that CEQ went beyond its intended role in the selection process.
The memo reveals a close relationship between CEQ and CDP/SBTi, with a senior CEQ staffer previously holding a senior role at CDP. The director for Sustainable Supply Chains at CEQ, Betty Cremmins, played a significant role in crafting the FAR Council proposal while staying in regular contact with officials at CDP and SBTi. However, Cremmins’ previous employment at CDP raises concerns about a conflict of interest.
The memo also raises questions about the integrity of the scientific and rulemaking process, suggesting that the decision to include CDP and SBTi was not based on meritorious process or generally accepted science but on arbitrary rulemaking. It argues that the proposed regulation lacks a coherent goal and appears to be more about making “CDP the law.”
The CEQ, CDP, and SBTi have not yet responded to requests for comment on the preliminary findings of the investigation.
This revelation adds to the ongoing debate surrounding climate policies and the role of big corporations and special interest groups in shaping government initiatives. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen how the White House will address these concerns and ensure transparency and accountability in the rulemaking process.
