Why Is a Sanctioned Russian Company Involved in a $25B Alaska Gas Project?

I am writing as your constituent regarding breaking reports that sanctioned Russian state-linked energy giant Novatek secretly financed and directed a $25 billion Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project on Alaska's North Slope. On October 24, the Financial Times reported that Joel Riddle, former ExxonMobil engineer and chief executive of Polar Train LNG, resigned alongside nearly his entire executive team. Riddle stated: "I resigned as chief executive of Polar LNG because I felt uncomfortable that the Russian company Novatek was financing and ultimately controlling the strategic direction of the company". Leaked communications confirm senior Novatek executives coordinated project financing and attempted to expedite covert money transfers to the Alaska venture. Novatek has been subject to Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions since 2014, with its Arctic LNG 2 facility fully blocked in November 2023. Reporting indicates the Alaska project proposed repurposing equipment from Arctic LNG 2, with ongoing U.S.-Russia talks examining whether Novatek’s Alaska participation would be traded for sanctions relief on Arctic LNG 2. Whether these actions violated the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) or federal money laundering statutes is an urgent Article I question. Congress holds sole authority over foreign commerce and national emergency sanctions regimes. I urge you to take immediate legislative and oversight action: 1. Mandate Treasury & CFIUS Accounting: Direct the Treasury Department and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to disclose in writing by November 6 whether Polar Train LNG sought OFAC licenses or filed mandatory foreign investment notices. 2. Hold Sworn Oversight Hearings: Convene joint committee hearings invoking subpoena authority to receive testimony from former CEO Joel Riddle, Polar Train executives, and OFAC sanctions enforcement directors. 3. Disclose Sanctions Relief Negotiations: Demand that the White House and State Department disclose all communications regarding whether Alaska energy development was conditioned on lifting Russian sanctions. 4. Enact the Bipartisan NOPE Act (S. 4421 / H.R. 9552): Co-sponsor legislation introduced by Senators Gallego and Grassley requiring a 30-day congressional review period before the Executive Branch can grant licensing waivers or modify sanctions on Russian energy entities. Congress establishes sanctions to protect national security. Reclaim your oversight authority and investigate this arrangement under oath.