Democrats are preparing to launch an aggressive wave of investigations into President Donald Trump’s energy policies and business dealings when they take control of Congress in January, using newly acquired subpoena powers to compel testimony and disclosure of documents from administration officials, CNBC reports.
Four areas are expected to draw particular scrutiny: the Iran war, the administration’s intervention in Venezuela’s oil sector, federal investments in critical minerals companies and the cancellation of renewable energy projects.
Democrats plan to pursue a war powers resolution demanding an end to the Iran conflict, which has driven up fuel prices, although Trump is likely to veto the measure and energy analysts warn that further military escalation remains possible.
Lawmakers also want an accounting of Venezuelan oil revenues following the U.S. takeover of the country’s oil exports and the Pentagon’s investment in North American Blue Energy Partners, a company expected to develop Venezuelan reserves. The deal supposedly gives the U.S. control over 65 billion barrels of oil.
In the critical minerals sector, Democrats are raising conflict-of-interest concerns over government equity stakes in private companies and the involvement of Cantor Fitzgerald, formerly led by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who transferred control of the firm to his sons after joining the administration.
Finally, lawmakers intend to investigate nearly $8 billion in canceled energy projects, including offshore wind developments, and the Interior Department’s nearly $1 billion agreement with TotalEnergies to abandon a U.S. offshore wind project and redirect investment toward natural gas.
The investigations could create additional political and regulatory uncertainty for energy companies involved in federal deals.
