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Carnahan must admit wind energy conflict of interest

April 16, 2009

JEFFERSON CITY—One day after tens of thousands of Missourians protested the tax, borrow, and spend policies of the current administration, Vice President Joe Biden will come to the state to defend these policies.  During the trip, he will meet with prominent wind energy developer Tom Carnahan, whose reliance on federal tax credits that require congressional approval presents a conflict of interest dilemma for his sister, Robin.

Tom Carnahan is the president of the Wind Capital Group, one of the state’s largest wind energy developers, and he serves as the treasurer of Robin’s state campaign committee.

By his own admission, Tom Carnahan’s business is heavily dependent on federal tax credits for survival—and if elected, Robin would have the power to support lucrative deals that benefit his livelihood.  In a St. Joseph News-Press article, Carnahan called the tax credits “vitally important to the wind industry,” and admitted that he lobbied members of Congress for the credits (St. Joseph News-Press, January 25, 2008).

“Without federal tax credits, Tom Carnahan’s business would cease to exist,” said Lloyd Smith, Executive Director of the Missouri Republican Party. “Robin Carnahan is seeking a position that would give her the power to literally make or break her brother’s business.  This is a clear conflict-of-interest, and one that she must immediately address.”