Congressmen request investigation into Russian attempts to influence US energy market

Two congressmen recently requested that the Department of Treasury investigate allegations that Russian state-sponsored groups provided funds to environmental groups in an effort to influence the U.S. energy market.

U.S. House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) and Energy Subcommittee Chairman Randy Weber (R-TX) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin requesting the investigation.

“U.S. presidential candidates, European officials, and the U.S. intelligence community have all publicly noted that Russia and its government corporations are funding a covert anti-fracking campaign to suppress the widespread adoption of fracking in Europe and the U.S.—all in an effort to safeguard the influence of the Russian oil and gas sector,” the letter said.

According to the allegations, Russian government-sponsored entities funneled money through shell companies based in Bermuda to U.S. environmental groups in order to disrupt the U.S. energy market and influence public opinion, especially as it related to hydraulic fracturing. These actions would potentially violate federal statutes.

“If you connect the dots, it is clear that Russia is funding U.S. environmental groups in an effort to suppress our domestic oil and gas industry, specifically hydraulic fracking,” Smith said. “They have established an elaborate scheme that funnels money through shell companies in Bermuda. This scheme may violate federal law and certainly distorts the U.S. energy market. The American people deserve to know the truth and I am confident Secretary Mnuchin will investigate the allegations.”