Icahn’s Involvement Taints Changes to EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard
Statement of Tyson Slocum, Director, Public Citizen's Energy Program
Note: On Monday, Public Citizen filed a comment on a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rulemaking, calling for the disclosure of all communications between Carl Icahn or his agents and the White House, the EPA and other relevant administration officials about the Renewable Fuel Standard program since Icahn resigned his position as special adviser to President Donald Trump.
The Trump administration’s efforts to alter aspects of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are tainted by the involvement of Carl Icahn, a powerful, self-interested party close to President Donald Trump.
Icahn’s refineries feature significant financial exposure to obligations under the RFS, and Icahn has actively attempted to influence the policy for years, including while he served as special adviser to the president.
Until all the details of Icahn’s and his agents’ communications with the White House, the EPA and other relevant agencies are made public, it is impossible to rule out the likely possibility that he orchestrated changes to the standards – especially since the proposed changes resemble aspects of Icahn’s own reform proposal.