On March 8, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Joe Goffman as the head of the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. On the same day, Goffman thanked Rich Gold, a major Democratic supporter and lobbyist representing industries like oil and gas, for his support.
Text messages and communications revealed through the Freedom of Information Act show Goffman providing Gold with inside information about the EPA, and accommodating meetings even under tight schedules, highlighting a close relationship between the two.
Gold, with a past stint at the EPA and a long lobbying career, represents the “revolving door” phenomenon in Washington, where government officials and lobbyists maintain mutually beneficial relationships.
Goffman, who also had significant ties to industries related to his office, faced ethics complaints and delayed Senate confirmation until January 2024 due to potential conflicts of interest. Despite this, he continued interacting with stakeholders like Dow Chemical, advised by Gold, and assured adjustments in EPA regulations based on industry feedback, raising concerns about the influence of lobbyists on environmental policy.
