Dem Fundraiser Anne Slaughter Andrew Steps Down from Cleantech Leaders Board Amid Republican Probe
L: Biden energy official Jigar Shah (energy.gov) R: Anne Slaughter Andrew (Wikimedia Commons)
A prominent Democratic donor, whose energy company secured a $3 billion federal loan in October, has resigned from the board of a nonprofit organization founded by Biden’s energy loan czar. This comes as Senate Republicans investigate potential conflicts of interest within the federal funding program.
Anne Slaughter Andrew, a well-connected fundraiser for the Democratic Party, quietly stepped down from her positions on the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable and its sister group, the Cleantech Leaders Climate Forum, towards the end of last year.
Andrew’s departure followed inquiries by Republican lawmakers into the relationship between Cleantech Leaders and Jigar Shah, the director of the Department of Energy’s $400 billion loan program. Shah had founded and led Cleantech Leaders before joining the Biden administration, and he had been the keynote speaker at numerous paid events organized by the nonprofit trade group for executives seeking loans over the past two years.
Her exit from Cleantech Leaders has raised concerns on Capitol Hill, where Senate and House energy committees have been investigating whether companies that paid to attend Cleantech Leaders events with Shah received preferential treatment from his office.
Andrew currently serves as a director at Sunnova Energy, a solar company that obtained a $3 billion loan from Shah’s office in October. Lawmakers have questioned whether Andrew’s position on the Cleantech Leaders board and her relationship with Shah influenced the loan decision.
Neither Andrew nor Cleantech Leaders have responded to requests for comment.
Senator John Barrasso, the leading Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, emphasized the importance of thorough scrutiny in a letter to the Department of Energy inspector general regarding Andrew’s departure from the Cleantech Leaders board.
Andrew, who has made substantial donations to Democratic causes, is married to Joe Andrew, the former national chairman of the Democratic National Committee. She previously served as ambassador to Costa Rica under the Obama administration, a position often awarded to major donors.
Lawmakers began investigating Shah and his ties to Cleantech Leaders in October, following a report by the Washington Free Beacon that highlighted the trade organization’s role as a gatekeeper for companies seeking loans from Shah’s office. Cleantech Leaders’ revenue significantly increased after Shah joined the administration, according to its tax disclosure records. The group frequently hosts exclusive receptions featuring Shah for its paying members nationwide.
In October, the DOE Loans Program Office and Cleantech Leaders co-hosted an invitation-only conference in Washington, D.C., for companies seeking loans. Cleantech Leaders was responsible for managing the guest list and ticket sales for the event.
“Hundreds of Billions $$$$$$,” wrote Cleantech Leaders’ executive director in a LinkedIn post about Loan Programs Office funding in 2022. “We love Jigar Shah for that and also for co-founding the Cleantech Leaders Roundtable.”
Several financial sponsors of the conference, including battery company KorePower, which received an $850 million conditional commitment from the LPO last year, have either received or sought major loans from Shah’s office.
Shortly after the October conference, Shah’s office approved a $3 billion loan guarantee to Sunnova, where Andrew serves on the board. At the time, Andrew was listed as a board member of Cleantech Leaders, according to the group’s website.
In addition to congressional scrutiny, the Department of Energy inspector general, Teri Donaldson, informed the Senate Energy Committee in October that her office had initiated an investigation into potential conflicts of interest, particularly within the Loan Programs Office.
What role does Anne Slaughter Andrew’s position on the board of Cleantech Leaders and her relationship with Jigar Shah play in raising questions about the loan decision given to Sunnova Energy?
O Ian Andrew, an executive at the private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Her connections and fundraising efforts have made her a prominent figure within the Democratic Party.
The resignation of Anne Slaughter Andrew from the Cleantech Leaders board has drawn the attention of Senate Republicans. The nonprofit organization was founded by Jigar Shah, who now serves as the director of the Department of Energy’s loan program. Andrew had been involved with the organization and its sister group, the Cleantech Leaders Climate Forum, until the end of last year.
Senator John Barrasso, the leading Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, has expressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest within the federal funding program. The committee has been investigating whether companies that paid to attend Cleantech Leaders events with Jigar Shah received preferential treatment from his office. Andrew’s position on the board and her relationship with Shah raise questions about the loan decision given to Sunnova Energy, a solar company where she currently serves as a director. Sunnova Energy obtained a $3 billion loan from Shah’s office in October.
Andrew’s resignation and the ongoing probe by Senate and House energy committees highlight the need for transparency and accountability within federal funding programs. The investigation seeks to determine whether any improprieties occurred and if there was any undue influence in the distribution of loans. The Department of Energy inspector general has been urged to conduct a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding Andrew’s departure from the Cleantech Leaders board.
Neither Andrew nor Cleantech Leaders have commented on the matter, leaving questions unanswered. The concerns raised by Senate Republicans reflect the importance of ensuring the integrity of federal funding programs and avoiding potential conflicts of interest. As investigations continue, it is crucial to maintain scrutiny and hold those involved accountable for any wrongdoing.
Anne Slaughter Andrew’s resignation from the Cleantech Leaders board serves as a reminder of the complex web of relationships and potential conflicts of interest that can arise within the realm of political fundraising and federal funding programs. It is essential for the proper functioning of democracy that these issues be thoroughly investigated and addressed to maintain public trust in the integrity of the system.
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