Special Presidential Envoy for Climate (SPEC) John Kerry has a problem.
Earlier this year, his emails were requested by watchdog Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT).
The first round was heavily redacted, but they were also very telling.
When email addresses were redacted, it was a sign that Kerry was taking advice from outside donor groups.
The latest round of emails proves that as true.
Who is Calling the Shots
Industry experts are regularly consulted when constructing policy.
The difference here is that Kerry is allowing donors and activists to call the shots, and he is only taking his calls from one side.
The latest batch of emails was to Jesse Young, a senior policy adviser in Kerry’s office.
For instance, Steve Herz, a Sierra Club senior attorney, wrote, “I’ve been doing a bunch of thinking on potential next steps on the agenda of ending investment in new coal, particularly after the China announcement.
“Would you have 20 minutes in the coming days?”
Young sent him back contact information for SPEC contacts who would be better served to address his concerns, but then Herz responded, “I also understand you’re not the China/coal guy.
“My thinking wasn’t on China per se, it was more around the prospect of responding to China’s announcement with US regulation of private international coal finance.
“I think Biden has the executive authority to take a range of steps to end [new coal financing], starting with preventing US banks funding.
“And pushing the UK, Japanese, and others to do the same with their private banks.”
The Natural Resources Defense Council was sending emails to Young that were of a similar nature.
The list goes on and on, with groups who would either benefit or donated (sometimes both) dictating policy that was later put into play by Biden.
This is yet one more reason to put Kerry’s name on the impeachment list right next to Biden’s.
