Granholm Deputy Flagged Over Conflict of Interest Concern
- May 28, 2021
Kelly Speakes-Backman promoted former employer as head of DOE’s energy efficiency and renewable energy office
Matthew Foldi, Washington Free Beacon
Jennifer Granholm isn’t the only top Biden official in the Department of Energy under scrutiny for conflict of interest.
Kelly Speakes-Backman, a top Granholm deputy, is under fire for a series of events in which she promoted the Energy Storage Association, an industry trade association she helmed as chief executive officer until she was tapped by the Biden administration in January. In her official capacity as head of the agency’s energy efficiency and renewable energy office, she promoted the policy proposals of her former employer.
Protect the Public’s Trust, a watchdog focused on identifying conflict of interest, says Speakes-Backman improperly promoted the Energy Storage Association in her official capacity. In a letter to the agency’s general counsel, the group points to a series of events where Speakes-Backman drew on several policy recommendations made by the industry lobbying group.