In the wake of growing ethical concerns surrounding the Biden Family, the Biden administration's approach to greenhouse gas disclosures for U.S. contractors has sparked significant controversy, pointing towards potential conflicts of interest and a troubling lack of transparency in how the administration is proffering new regulations.
The heart of the issue lies in the involvement of the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) in shaping federal acquisition regulations. A House Republican investigation, detailed in a memo and reported by Fox News, alleges that the CEQ exerted undue influence on the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council. The accusation is that the CEQ lobbied for the Biden administration's climate reporting and disclosure initiative to be outsourced to two U.K.-based environmental groups: the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP). This move is criticized for benefiting certain environmental activist groups with strong ties to Democrat donors and CEQ staff, raising questions about impartiality and fairness in the rulemaking process.
The investigation's findings suggest that the decision-making process was not driven by a commitment to scientific integrity or transparent governance, but rather by a desire to direct power and regulatory authority to favored groups. This approach undermines the principles of equitable and responsible governance—something that is nominally touted by Democrats on the campaign trail but implemented in the opposite direction when Democrats come to power.
One of President Trump’s first Executive Orders was on regulatory transparency and accountability. In contrast, one of President Biden’s first executive actions was to revoke the Trump-era regulatory accountability and transparency orders. Because of the latter, it was easy to foresee that the Biden Administration would run into ethical issues due to a regulatory process that was purposely more opaque than those of the previous administration.
The need for transparency and accountability in creating fair and effective regulations cannot be overstated. Regulatory processes should be transparent, based on scientific evidence, and free from undue influence of private interests. This ensures that policies serve the broader public interest and are resilient to criticisms of bias or favoritism.
This is especially true when one considers the vastness of the modern American regulatory state. According to the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, there are over a million separate regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations. At the CPAC Foundation Center for Regulatory Freedom, our analysis of the cost of these regulations stands at just over $3 trillion annually.
Tying these pieces of data together with this particular situation, broader questions about the role of private interests in public policy-making become raised, especially in areas as critical as environmental regulation. The selection of CDP and SBTi, as detailed in the memo, appears to have been influenced by previous relationships and affiliations of CEQ staff, rather than an objective evaluation of merit. This approach not only jeopardizes the integrity of the regulatory process but also erodes public trust in government institutions.
Moreover, the involvement of foreign entities in sensitive areas like greenhouse gas disclosures for U.S. contractors adds another layer of concern. It raises questions about the accountability and oversight of these entities, particularly in relation to national interests and security.
The revelations from the House Republican investigation highlight a crucial issue in modern governance: the intersection of private interests and public policy. As the Biden administration and other governments around the world grapple with the complex challenges of climate change and environmental protection, it is imperative that the processes involved in creating and implementing policy are transparent, accountable, and free from conflicts of interest. This is not only essential for the integrity of the regulatory process but also for maintaining public trust in government institutions and their ability to address critical global issues effectively and fairly.
In conclusion, the case of the CEQ's involvement in shaping federal regulations for climate reporting serves as a stark reminder of the importance of ethical governance. It underscores the need for a rigorous commitment to transparency and impartiality in policymaking, especially in areas that have far-reaching impacts on both the environment and the economy. As the investigation continues, it is crucial for all findings to be thoroughly examined and for appropriate actions to be taken to restore trust and integrity in the regulatory process. This is not just about greenhouse gas disclosures; it's about ensuring that the rulemaking process in a democratic society remains robust, fair, and representative of the people it serves.
Andrew Langer is Director of the CPAC Foundation’s Center for Regulatory Freedom
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