News

Letter - Energy Updates


Feb 5, 2024
Letter

More than 150 House Republicans Demand Biden End His De Facto Ban on American LNG Exports

Washington, D.C. — More than 150 Republicans, led by Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), sent a letter to President Biden lambasting him for his de facto ban on U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, a decision that jeopardizes the stability and affordability of natural gas domestically, hurts the American economy and jobs, undercuts our allies, and strengthens our adversaries. AS FIRST REPORTED BY FOX NEWS: More than 150 House Republicans are calling for President Biden to reverse his moratorium on liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects, an action they argued negatively impacts the energy security of the U.S. and its allies.   The Republican lawmakers — led by House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., and Conference Chair Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y. — penned a letter to Biden on Sunday evening, demanding his administration "expeditiously approve all pending applications to increase the global supply of natural gas."   KEY LETTER QUOTE: We write regarding the announcement that the Department of Energy (DOE) will stop issuing indefinitely permits to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) while your administration conducts an additional “public interest” review, including environmental, economic, and environmental justice criteria. This is economically and strategically dangerous and unnecessary. Under both Democratic and Republican administrations, DOE has consistently found that U.S. LNG exports serve the “public interest” because they contribute positive economic benefits and strengthen energy security for the American people, and also have the potential to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. BACKGROUND: On January 26, President Biden froze the approval process for new U.S. LNG export sites, prioritizing the wishes of radical activists over U.S. energy security and the security of our allies. Studies show that LNG exports could add upwards of $73 billion to the U.S. economy by 2040, create upwards of 453,000 American jobs, and increase U.S. held purchasing power by $30 billion.   Over the past seven years, the U.S. has increased its LNG export capacity from zero to 11.6 billion cubic feet per day. During the same period, the spot price of U.S. natural gas has remained relatively stable and affordable.  These actions will weaken global energy security, halt investment in American energy, and jeopardize U.S. energy leadership.  CLICK HERE to read the full letter.  CLICK HERE to read more on how President Biden’s efforts jeopardize American jobs, energy prices, the economy, and the security of our allies. 



Dec 4, 2023
Letter - Energy

E&C Republicans Question Energy Department over Loan to Li-Cycle after Company’s Construction Halted, Stock Prices Plummet

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Morgan Griffith (R-VA), and Subcommittee on Energy, Climate, & Grid Security Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC), on behalf of Oversight and Energy Subcommittee Republicans, today wrote to Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Officer (LPO) Director Jigar Shah. The letter , which follows up on a previous correspondence regarding the LPO, requests information related to a $375 million conditional loan commitment to Li-Cycle, a company whose stock is reportedly tanking and is facing a class action lawsuit. DOE has failed to respond to the Committee’s October 19 letter with Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member John Barrasso (R-WY) regarding ethical concerns with Mr. Shah’s association with the Cleantech Business Leaders Roundtable.  KEY LETTER EXCERPTS :  “While some have observed that ‘green’ energy companies have experienced difficulties this year, these developments suggest serious struggles for this company. This raises concerns about the LPO’s vetting and due diligence processes as well as potential attempts to implore companies to incur obligations they cannot meet. For example, in 2022, you reportedly met with Li-Cycle Chief Executive Officer Ajay Kochar regarding DOE’s program to encourage him to apply for an LPO loan. When he expressed uncertainty about Li-Cycle’s ability to repay the loan quickly, you urged him to attend a clean-energy conference in Pittsburgh. While news reports did not confirm it was this specific conference, you participated in an event of Cleantech Business Leaders Roundtable, a trade association you helped found, in Pittsburgh on September 22, 2022.” […]  “We also seek more detail on some of your statements before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources at an October 19, 2023, hearing. In response to questions from Chairman Joe Manchin, you stated that you ‘don’t make any decisions on which loans we actually underwrite or approve.’ You also stated that ‘[t]hese loans are being overseen by, you know, career federal staff.’  As part of our oversight responsibilities, it is critical that we understand who the decision-makers are in the LPO.”  BACKGROUND :  On February 27, 2023, the LPO announced a conditional commitment to Li-Cycle for a $375 million direct loan to help finance a lithium-ion battery resource recovery facility in Rochester, New York.   However, since that date, disturbing updates about Li-Cycle and the proposed facility have emerged.   On October 23, 2023, Li-Cycle announced it was “pausing construction work” on the Rochester facility, known as the “Rochester Hub,” pending a comprehensive review of the strategy of the project and citing “escalating construction costs.”  Additionally, Li-Cycle stock prices recently plunged following a recent disappointing quarterly earnings report and the pause on construction of the Rochester Hub.   Reportedly , Li-Cycle stock recently lost half of its value following this quarterly report, and, as of November 15, its stock prices had fallen 88 percent year-to-date.  Finally, two law firms recently announced they filed class action suits against Li-Cycle for making false and/or misleading statements and failing to disclose rising construction costs for the Rochester Hub, as well as the severity and impact of those costs.  The Committee has also learned of potential challenges with the DOE loan itself. Reportedly, Li-Cycle stated the DOE loan was to close in June of this year, but that target has been pushed back twice.   Li-Cycle also stated it will need to secure additional financing to meet DOE’s loan terms.  The Chairs requested the following information by December 18, 2023: All documents and information sufficient to show the entire LPO process for reviewing and deciding whether to approve applications for LPO loans and loan guarantees, at both the conditional and final stages, including:  Each step or stage of the review and approval process.  The names and titles of each individual federal government official, employee, consultant, or contractor who participates in each step of the process.   The names and titles of each individual federal official, employee, consultant, or contractor who must grant approval at each stage for an application to progress to the next stage.  The role of any review panels or advisory boards that participate in this process.   Any and all minutes, transcripts, or memoranda from any review panels or advisory boards that participate in this process.  All internal guidance, memos, criteria, or policies governing each stage of the loan and loan guarantee application review process, including both the conditional and final stages. CLICK HERE to read the full letter. 



Sep 5, 2023
Press Release

E&C Republicans Press Ford for Information on Planned EV Battery Plant with Ties to China

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans, led by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, wrote to Ford President and CEO James Farley regarding a new partnership with Chinese-owned Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) to build lithium iron phosphate batteries in the United States.  CLICK HERE to read FOX News's coverage: BACKGROUND :  Earlier this year, Ford announced it would invest $3.5 billion to construct a lithium iron phosphate battery plant in Marshall, Michigan.  According to Ford, its wholly-owned subsidiary will manufacture the battery cells using Chinese company CATL’s technology and services.  KEY LETTER EXCERPTS :  “While Ford has labeled this project a ‘commitment to American manufacturing’ and asserts it will create 2,500 new American jobs, we are concerned that Ford’s partnership with a Chinese company could aid China’s efforts to expand its control over United States electric vehicle supply chains and jeopardize national security by furthering dependence on China.”  […]  “Additionally, Members learned at this hearing that Chinese companies often supply their own workers to projects in Latin America and Africa, reinforcing fears that CATL will import workers for this facility rather that creating jobs for United States workers.”  […]  “We seek to learn more about whether this partnership, and others like it, will potentially exacerbate our reliance on China. Should China gain control of domestic electric vehicle production, the United States would be exposed to serious national security risks at a time of escalating geopolitical tensions.”  The Members requested information and answers to the following questions by September 18, 2023:  A copy of the complete licensing agreement between Ford and CATL, including any appendices, amendments, or addenda.  All documents and communications exchanged between Ford officers or employees and officials, appointees, employees, contractors, or consultants of the United States government referring or relating to Ford and CATL’s partnership and eligibility for tax credits and federal incentives.  Did Ford consider making a similar investment in a partnership with a non-Chinese company? If so, why did Ford ultimately decide to partner with CATL? If not, why did Ford not consider other partners?  How many CATL employees will CATL supply to the Facility?  What steps did Ford take to prevent or limit CATL’s ability to halt production unilaterally, such as at the direction of the Chinese government?  CLICK HERE to read the letter. 



Aug 7, 2023
Press Release

E&C Republicans Demand Answers from Secretary Granholm on Undisclosed Talks with Top CCP Energy Official

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans, led by Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Energy, Climate, and Grid Security Subcommittee Chair Jeff Duncan (R-SC), and Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chair Morgan Griffith (R-VA), today sent a letter to Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm demanding answers and transparency following reports that the Secretary consulted with the Chinese Communist Party’s top energy official, Zhang Jianhua, days before the Biden administration announced it would release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve in 2021. KEY LETTER EXCERPTS: "We are troubled by recent reports that you, in your official capacity as Secretary of Energy, had multiple conversations with the Chinese Communist Party’s top energy official just days before the Biden administration announced it would release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) in 2021. This is concerning given the Department of Energy’s (DOE) mismanagement of the SPR, which has left our country more vulnerable to energy supply disruptions and strengthened the leverage of our adversaries to use energy as a geopolitical weapon." [...] "The Biden administration has helped support China’s national security at the expense of our own security by using our strategic energy supplies to help the Chinese build up their own strategic reserves. The House of Representatives, led by the Committee on Energy and Commerce, has worked to protect against this abuse by passing H.R. 22, the Protecting American’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act to prohibit the Biden administration from selling any products from the reserve to China, and H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act, to ensure the reserve is adequately available during a true emergency. “ Despite these Congressional efforts to hold the Biden administration accountable for undermining our energy security, the DOE apparently is still looking to China as an example and allegedly coordinating with them prior to SPR releases . China poses one of the greatest economic, security, and geopolitical threats to the United States, while continuing to be one the world’s worst polluters. As a result of this administration’s war on American energy and political abuse of the SPR, Americans have become more vulnerable to true energy and national security emergencies while China has profited.”  The members requested information, including the following, by August 21, 2023:  All communications, and any documents referring to or relating to those communications, between yourself and officials, employees, or representatives of the Chinese government, including the National Energy Administration, regarding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve since February 25, 2021, as well as the following information and documents: The name and job title of all officials, employees, or representatives of the Chinese government who participated in the communications. The name and job title of all United States government officials, employees, or contractors who participated in the communications. The date of such communications. The topics of discussion of such communications. Any notes, summaries, memoranda, or readouts produced regarding communications. All briefing materials, notes, or preparatory documents produced to assist in your preparation for such communications. All documents and communications referring or relating to scheduling a call with Director Zhang Jianhua and yourself. All documents and communications referring or relating to your November 19, 2021, and November 21, 2021, calls with Director Zhang Jianhua. Any and all briefing materials, notes, or preparatory documents produced to assist in your preparation for your November 19, 2021, and November 21, 2021, calls with Director Zhang Jianhua. CLICK HERE to read the full letter. CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers’ statement on Secretary Granholm’s secret conversations with the top CCP energy official.  ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND: In June 2022, E&C Republican Leaders demanded answers from Secretary Granholm on her management of the SPR and how China is taking advantage of the Biden administration’s use of our strategic fuel reserves. In November 2022, Chair Rodgers and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Republican Leader John Barrasso (R-WY) sent a letter to Secretary Granholm raising concerns about potential damage to the SPR due to President Biden’s unprecedented drawdowns and DOE’s mismanagement of the national security asset. In January 2023, the House passed H.R 22 , the Protecting American’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act, led by Chair Rodgers, by a bipartisan vote 331-97. The bill protects our energy security by prohibiting the Biden administration from selling any products from the SPR to China, or any entity that intends to export the products to China. In January 2023, the House passed H.R. 21 , the Strategic Production Response Act , which would help ensure the SPR is available during a true energy emergency and not abused for non-emergency, political purposes. In March 2023, Energy and Commerce Republicans called on Secretary Grandholm to testify immediately following her public comments praising China. In May 2023, House and Senate Republican energy leaders requested that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) evaluate DOE’s mismanagement of the SPR, which has increased our reliance on foreign energy sources.



Jan 17, 2023
In the News

ICYMI: E&C Republicans Turn Up the Heat and Demand Biden Stop Efforts to Ban Gas Stoves

President Biden wants to control every aspect of our lives—from what kind of cars we can drive, how we can heat our homes, and now how we’re allowed to cook food for our families. Last week, it was reported that the Biden administration is looking to ban gas stoves from American homes across the country. This is just the latest in a long line of power grabs by the radical Left. It's not about public safety, but rather about telling the American people the federal government knows what’s best. Nearly 35% of homes in the U.S. – more than 40 million Americans – use a natural gas stove. That’s why Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and 86 of her House Republican colleagues sent a letter to President Biden demanding the administration reverse any attempts to ban gas stoves. Chair Rodgers also sent a letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) echoing these concerns.  Highlights and excerpts from the Fox Business exclusive coverage on the letter to President Biden : Furious lawmakers are calling on President Biden to cease any efforts by his administration to ban natural gas stoves inside Americans' homes. Republicans on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter to the president Friday writing in "strong opposition" to reported efforts by regulators to ban natural gas appliances. "This kind of intrusion into the homes of Americans by the federal government as a way of forcing rush-to-green, liberal policies is the ‘nanny state’ at its worst," the Republicans wrote. "Banning natural gas stoves is not about public safety – it is another example of government control; like other policies we have seen from your administration, to tell Americans what kinds of cars they can drive, how they heat their homes, and how to live their lives." The Biden administration caused an uproar over gas stoves earlier this week after a commissioner on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) suggested regulators were considering banning the appliance due to health and safety concerns. From E&E News : House Energy and Commerce Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) is already making plans to bring the issue before her committee. “I’m quite concerned,” Rodgers told E&E News. “I think we need to dig into this more and probably bring them in and ask some questions.” CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers’ January 11th statement on President Biden’s plan to ban gas stoves. CLICK HERE to read House Republicans’ January 13th letter to President Biden. CLICK HERE to read Chair Rodgers’ January 13th letter to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric.



Jul 27, 2022
In the News

House Republicans to Biden: Put American Energy Workers First, Don’t Reward Foreign Oil Producers

93 Republicans Warn Biden that OPEC+, Including Russia, Wins if He Bans American Oil Exports Washington, D.C. — House Republicans are demanding President Bidenabandon his anti-American energy agenda, including any plans to cut off America’s access to global energy markets by imposing a ban on oil exports. In a new letter, Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and 91 Republican representatives tell President Biden that banning America’s crude oil and petroleum product exports will make the self-inflicted energy crisis even worse, by hurting American energy workers, increasing gas prices, and further emboldening America’s adversaries, especially Russia.  Recent studies show the benefits of the U.S. exporting crude oil, as well as the harmful impacts of banning the exporting of U.S. petroleum products.  The following are excerpts from House Republicans letter to President Biden:  AN EXPORT BAN HURTS OUR ECONOMY AND SECURITY: “Banning oil exports would destroy American jobs and lead to higher energy prices for the hardworking people of this country already suffering under record high inflation. Furthermore, banning American oil exports would punish our allies in Europe and Asia who desperately seek to reduce their reliance on OPEC and Russia for oil. The only beneficiary of a ban on American oil exports would be Russia, which would gain geopolitical leverage over our allies and additional revenue to finance the unjustified war on Ukraine.” WHY LIFTING THE EXPORT BAN PUT AMERICA FIRST: “In 2015, when Congress passed bipartisan legislation to repeal 1970’s-era restrictions on crude oil exports, it found that ‘the United States upholds a commitment to free trade and open markets and has consistently opposed attempts by other nations to restrict the free flow of energy; and, the United States should remove all restrictions on the export of crude oil, which will provide domestic economic benefits, enhanced energy security, and flexibility in foreign diplomacy.’ Before your Administration took office, the United States emerged as the world’s leading energy producer and a net energy exporter, and American oil production was wisely treated as an arsenal of energy security. Prior to your Administration, and as a direct result of Congress lifting the crude oil export ban, OPEC and Russian power over world oil markets had been substantially diminished, and America’s trading partners had a more stable and reliable supplier for crude oil.” BOTTOM LINE: “ A ban on American crude oil or petroleum product exports would be detrimental to our national security and economy.” Don’t miss this exclusive coverage from FoxNews.com : CLICK HERE to read the full letter.



Jul 12, 2022
In the News

House Republicans Demand Answers from EPA on Life Threatening Blackouts and Grid Instability

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans are examining the role of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations behind increasing risks of dangerous blackouts, which jeopardizes Americans’ safety and security. Americans are suffering enough from record high and unaffordable costs created by President Biden’s energy crisis. They deserve and need every assurance their air conditioning will come on this summer and heat will come on in the winter to keep their families safe. The North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and other grid authorities say these blackouts are likely this summer and warn of increasing risks in the future. These threats come as the Biden administration continues its rush-to-green agenda to shut down American fossil energy and leave the nation dependent upon intermittent and unreliable sources that strain the electrical grid. In the letter from the members to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, the members demand to know how the EPA’s regulatory actions are affecting America’s both immediate and long-term grid reliability. In particular, they question the Biden administration’s radical “EGU Strategy” in its climate agenda and how that will affect America’s energy reliability. This oversight letter follows letters sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Department of Energy (DOE) on June 6, 2022, where the members called on the agencies to “assure reliability in the bulk power system and the affordable, reliable delivery of electricity.” EXCERPT FROM LETTER TO EPA: “We believe the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) should also account for its plans and actions to help us assess factors behind both the immediate and the long-term risks to electric reliability across the nation. “In recent months, you announced a suite of EPA actions to target fossil fueled electric generating units, an ‘EGU Strategy,’ to drive the Biden Administrations climate agenda. This ‘EGU strategy’ includes many major new regulations now under development or proposed – the Interstate Transport Rule, Regional Haze, Risk and Technology Review for the Mercury Air Toxics Rule, a new set of greenhouse gas performance standards, effluent limitations, and a legacy coal combustion residue rule—all of which directly affect power plants that are essential for reliable electric operations. “We are concerned that EPA actions threaten to accelerate fossil generation retirements, at the very same time electric system operators report growing shortfalls in such baseload capacity will accelerate blackout risks.” The members make several requests of Administrator Regan, including the following: Describe what specific actions you are taking or are prepared to take to address energy or electricity emergencies this summer in the bulk power system. List all waivers or other emergency actions you are considering or have taken over the past two years in connection with electricity reliability. List all regulatory actions you are considering or have taken over the past two years to alleviate electricity reliability risks. List and provide a description of all interactions with the Department of Energy concerning potential and proposed rulemakings and enforcement activity that may affect the reliable delivery of electricity. List and provide a description of all interactions with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concerning potential and proposed rulemakings and enforcement activity that may affect the reliable delivery of electricity. List and provide a description of all interactions with states concerning potential and proposed rulemakings and enforcement activity that may affect the reliable delivery of electricity. List and provide a description of all interactions with the Independent System Operators, and states concerning potential and proposed rulemakings and enforcement activity that may affect the reliable delivery of electricity. In developing its reported “EGU Strategy” to “marry a range of authorities” to regulate the power sector, has EPA evaluated the cumulative impact of the strategy in accelerating plant closures? If so, please provide us with these assessments. How will the June 30 Supreme Court decision in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency affect your “EGU Strategy” to regulate sources in the power sector? Regarding the proposed Transport Rule [Federal Implementation Plan], what specific statutory provisions authorize EPA to impose a federal plan that effectively overrides the electric power sector planning authorities in 26 states? CLICK HERE to read the letter to Administrator Regan. CLICK HERE to read Fox News' exclusive report on the letter.



Jun 7, 2022
Energy

Blackouts are Coming. Republicans Call for Biden’s Plan as His Energy Crisis Heightens Safety Threat.

Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans demand to know from Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) how the Biden administration plans to prepare for and prevent dangerous blackouts that the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) says are likely this summer. This threat comes as the Biden administration continues its rush-to-green agenda to shut down American energy and leave the nation dependent upon intermittent and unreliable sources that strain the electrical grid. All Energy and Commerce Republicans are calling on the administration to “assure reliability in the bulk power system and the affordable, reliable delivery of electricity.” In an exclusive quote provided to FOX NEWS , Energy and Commerce Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) said: “Blackouts are life threatening and extremely dangerous. President Biden, the Department of Energy, and FERC must take these threats and their responsibility to ensure reliable and affordable energy seriously. We are demanding that the administration provide specific plans for how it will prevent potential electricity emergencies this summer. “People are suffering enough from record high and unaffordable costs created by President Biden’s energy crisis. They deserve and need every assurance their lights and air conditioning will come on this summer to keep themselves and their families safe.” LETTER EXCERPT FROM E&C REPUBLICANS: “NERC reported that more than half the nation will be at elevated risk of power outages this summer. This is because of insufficient resources to provide power to peoples’ homes when their demand for power peaks during extreme weather conditions. “The electricity resource shortfall is estimated to be even worse for customers living in a large region in the middle of the nation, extending from Wisconsin to Louisiana, where the report warns about outages during normal summer conditions.” […] “This troubling situation represents the most immediate example of a broader and growing trend of increasing reliability risks across the nation’s electricity systems – risks that are mounting in the winter as well as summer months, according to NERC assessments. “These reliability risks have been unfolding in plain sight, yet we have seen little concerted effort during the Biden administration to address relevant policies that contribute to these risks—policies relating to the delivery of energy fuels, market-design issues, environmental agendas, and regulations that threaten power generation.” The members demand that Secretary Granholm and FERC respond to their questions by June 21, 2022 on what is being done to prepare and avoid power shortages. Describe what specific actions you are taking or are prepared to take to address energy or electricity emergencies this summer in the bulk power system. Describe your interactions with other federal agencies, the states, NERC, and independent system operators related to assuring reliability in the bulk power system and the affordable, reliable delivery of electricity. Describe your interactions with the Environmental Protection Agency concerning potential and proposed rulemakings and enforcement activity that may affect the reliable delivery of electricity, such as the recent enforcement actions involving the disposal of coal combustion residuals from electric utilities rule. List all potential and proposed rulemakings upon which you have provided technical comment. List all enforcement actions upon which you have provided comment. List all waivers or other emergency actions you are considering or have taken over the past two years in connection with electricity reliability. List all regulatory actions you are considering or have taken over the past two years to alleviate reliability risks. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to Secretary Granholm. CLICK HERE to read the full letter to FERC Chairman Richard Glick.



Mar 10, 2022
Energy

E&C Republicans Question Environmental Groups Over Possible Collusion with Russia

Were They Influenced by Putin’s Dark Money to Shut Down American Energy? Washington, D.C. — House Energy and Commerce Committee Republicans sent a letter to three environmental groups with financial ties to a San Francisco-based environmental NGO called the Sea Change Foundation as a next step in the investigation of foreign influence over U.S.-based environmental NGOs. According to reports, it’s been alleged that Vladimir Putin has used Sea Change to funnel money into U.S. based environmental advocacy efforts designed to shut down and undermine American energy production. The letters ask the League of Conservation Voters, the Natural Resources Defense Council, and the Sierra Club: To identify the total amount of funding they received from Sea Change since 2006. To identify the specific efforts the funding was designed to support. To disclose if they are aware of concerns that Sea Change may be a conduit for Russian funding. If they currently or ever have received funds from the Russian government or anyone connected with the Russian government. If they have taken any action at the request of the Russian government or anyone connected with the Russian government. Due to the recent bilateral pact between Russia and China on defeating sanctions, if they have received funds from the Chinese Communist Party or taken any action on their behalf. All three of these groups were identified as top recipients of Sea Change grants since 2006. Read excerpts and find full letters to all three groups below. LETTER EXCERPT: “It has been alleged that Putin is using a San Francisco-based eNGO, the Sea Change Foundation (Sea Change), to funnel money into U.S.-based environmental advocacy efforts designed to undermine American energy production. According to a 2014 report, Sea Change receives contributions from a ‘Bermuda-based company called Klein Ltd.’ which is used ‘for funneling Russian government money to American environmental groups in order to undermine U.S. natural gas and oil production to Russia’s benefit.’ Notably, reports suggest that your organization is one of the top e-NGO recipients of Sea Change grants since 2006.” The Energy and Commerce Republican members request the three organizations respond by March 25, 2022 to a series of questions regarding their ties to the Russian and Chinese governments and their funding. CLICK HERE to read the letter to the League of Conservation Voters. CLICK HERE to read the letter to the Natural Resources Defense Council. CLICK HERE to read the letter to the Sierra Club. CLICK HERE to read what E&C Republicans sent to four groups over possible ties to the Chinese Communist Party.