(Washington, D.C.) – Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin, along with Investigations and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Rich McCormick, sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin requesting a briefing and additional information regarding the influence of foreign-originated environmental frameworks on U.S. regulatory and industrial policy.
In the letter, the Chairmen express concerns about the growing reliance on international emissions accounting frameworks, particularly the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (“GHG Protocol”), noting that while it is not legally binding under U.S. law, it has become a widely adopted global standard that is increasingly shaping corporate behavior, supply chain requirements, and market access for American industry.
They further write that this pattern has “imposed significant compliance burdens on American industry, constrained commercial flexibility, and risked excluding U.S. firms from key international markets,” raising broader concerns about the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers in a global economy where emissions rules are becoming more standardized.
The letter also highlights EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program and related regulatory actions as operating in parallel with international accounting frameworks, including the GHG Protocol, and raises concerns about the resulting infrastructure and compliance costs imposed on regulated entities. The Chairmen write that, given recent changes in federal greenhouse gas policy and questions surrounding statutory authority under the Clean Air Act, it is “urgent that the Committee assess the full scope of foreign influence embedded in prior regulatory actions and determine whether corrective measures are warranted.”
Additionally, the letter references prior Committee oversight of the Biden Administration’s proposed Federal Acquisition Regulation rule, which would have required federal contractors to align with emissions targets validated by foreign-based entities. The Chairmen describe the proposal as part of a broader pattern involving “the systematic transfer of American regulatory authority to international frameworks operating outside the bounds of U.S. law and democratic accountability.”
Further, they warn that emissions accounting frameworks are increasingly being incorporated into private-sector contracting, lending, and procurement requirements, effectively compelling American companies to comply with international protocols to remain eligible to participate in global supply chains, rather than as a result of federal regulation.
To assess these issues, the Chairmen requested a briefing from EPA on its procedures for evaluating and insulating domestic rulemaking from undue international influence. The briefing was requested no later than May 22, 2026.
To read the full letter, please click here.