A senior U.S. senator is urging federal authorities to examine potential insider trading by prominent energy industry executives, following reports of multimillion-dollar stock acquisitions made shortly after meetings with high-level administration officials.
The focus of the inquiry centers on the co-chairmen of Venture Global, a major liquefied natural gas firm. Public records indicate that each executive purchased over a million shares of company stock, valued at nearly $12 million per individual, in the immediate aftermath of a March meeting with senior officials. That gathering included the Secretary of Energy.
Days later, the Department of Energy granted the company a critical export license, a key approval for its overseas expansion plans. The timing of the stock purchases has drawn scrutiny from lawmakers concerned about conflicts of interest.
“When massive political donations intersect with favorable government actions, it demands a full accounting,” said the senator, a member of the powerful appropriations committee. “The sequence of these stock trades absolutely warrants an investigation to determine if insider trading laws were violated.”
The executives, who are noted Republican donors, took their company public shortly after the presidential inauguration in January. A spokesperson for Venture Global stated that the share acquisitions were in full compliance with all securities regulations and that the company adheres strictly to laws governing interactions with public officials.
A White House representative asserted that the administration maintains the highest ethical standards and does not engage in conflicts of interest.
The executives’ political involvement has been extensive. One attended a high-dollar fundraising event last spring, and the company was a leading contributor to the presidential inauguration fund. Federal lobbying records show the company’s connected individuals have spent over $1.6 million on lobbying efforts in Washington since last year, a significant increase from previous levels.
The call for an investigation comes amid a broader policy shift favoring domestic energy production, including streamlined approvals for LNG exports, and the reversal of several prior climate initiatives.
Critics argue this approach comes at a cost. “The collective effect is to lock in reliance on costly, polluting energy sources instead of accelerating the transition to more affordable, clean alternatives,” the senator added. “The consequences are higher bills for American families and intensified climate disruption.”
The current year remains on pace to be among the hottest ever recorded, with extreme weather events causing widespread damage and loss of life across the nation.
The company has been asked to respond to the formal call for an investigation.