Charles Drevna

Credentials

Charles Drevna received his BA in chemistry from Washington and Jefferson College and performed graduate work at Carnegie-Mellon University. [1]

Background

Charles T. Drevna was the President and CEO of Fueling U.S. Forward, a pro fossil fuel organization funded by Koch Industries and other oil and gas companies that launched in August, 2016 and shut down in September 2017. Drevna described the group as a 501(c)(6) nonprofit business association, allowing for both lobbying and political activities. [2], [3], [4]

Charlie Drevna is a former D.C. oil industry lobbyist and Sunoco executive. Until mid-2016, Drevna was also Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Institute for Energy Research and a board member of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. [5], [6] According to his bio at AFPM, Drevna was an “advocate” for the petroleum industry: [7]

“Drevna leads a staff that advocates for petroleum refiners and petrochemical manufacturers before Congress and the Executive Branch on a broad range of public policy issues. AFPM, under Drevna’s leadership, is emphasizing the importance of petroleum refiners and petrochemical manufacturers to America’s economic growth and national security. “

Before joining IER, Drevna was President of the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM), the national trade association representing 98 percent of oil refining capacity in the U.S., formerly known as the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association. According to his profile at the Institute for Energy Research, Drevna joined the AFPM in 2002 as the director of policy and planner, and was named executive vice president in 2006. He became President in 2007 where he served until he later retired from the position in May, 2016. [5], [1], [8]

According to tax records, Drevna continued to received $250,000 from AFPM in 2016, while he was developing and launching Fueling U.S. Forward, despite wrapping up his tenure as President of the association in April of 2015.

According to IER’s website, while he was a Senior Fellow, Drevna advised IER on a variety of energy topics, particularly fuel and refining issues. Though Drevna told DeSmog’s Sharon Kelly that IER is not involved with this Fueling U.S. Forward campaign, Drevna did work on Fueling U.S. Forward while officially serving as a fellow at IER. [9]

FuelFix describes IER as advocating “freely functioning” energy markets, and notes the group has criticized sector-specific subsidies, particularly tax incentives that aid wind, solar and other renewable power. [10]

In February 2016, The Huffington Post reported that Charles Drevna and James Mahoney were reportedly charged by the Koch brothers with developing and leading the new campaign to rebrand oil and gas and attack clean energy and electric vehicles. In August, 2016, Drevna revealed at Red State Gathering that this campaign would be called “Fueling U.S. Forward.” The campaign set out to rebrand fossil fuels as “sustainable” and vital energy sources. As Drevna announced, ““Oil and natural gas […] are the future.” [11], [2], [12]

Drevna has had a long career in the oil industry, having held executive and supervisory positions with Sunoco and Consolidated Coal Corp. He has also held high-level positions with the Oxygenated Fuels Association and the National Coal Association. [13]

Koch-Tied Generation Opportunity Funding

FUSF appears to have been operating in connection with the Koch-tied Generation Opportunity and Generation Opportunity Institute, 990 tax records reviewed by DeSmog reveal. While Generation Opportunity operates as a 501(c)(4) organization, it appears to have also run a non-profit 501(c)(3) arm entitled the “Generation Opportunity Institute.”

The 2016/2017 990 forms for Generation Opportunity Institute (EIN 46-2346050) operated under the name “Fueling U.S. Forward Institute” and listed Charles Drevna as the group’s president. According to that tax form, Drevna received $648,969 in that year, plus another $23,978 in other compensation.

Generation Opportunity Institute 2016 (Text)
It also noted that Drevna, as president, was paid via YEM Trust — the operating name of Generation Opportunity’s 501(c)(4) outfit:

Koch Vs. Clean

DeSmog launched a microsite on August 14, 2016 KochVsClean.com that examines the Kochs’ role in creating and funding the Fueling U.S. Forward campaign and how this group fits into the Koch-funded network of organizations seeking to undermine clean energy innovation such as electric vehicles and rooftop solar. Koch Vs. Clean also further examines the role of key individuals and organizations backing the FUSF campaign. Learn more below:

Individuals involved in Fueling U.S. Forward

Organizations involved in Fueling U.S. Forward

Stance on Climate Change

2014

“Since the Lord rested on the 7th day, there’s been climate change. The question is how much of it is man-made, how much of it can we can control, and what are the unintended consequences or the ramifications.” [14]

2008

“Meteorologists have questioned the relationship between storm intensity and climate change.” [15]

Key Quotes

October 3, 2016

“Today, fossil fuels are often spoken about in derogatory terms. But the truth is often the opposite of what you hear.
[…]
As we look to the future, the central question should be whether we will continue achieving advances in everyone’s quality of life, especially the least fortunate. The answer to this question depends on whether we recognize the central role of fossil fuels to human progress.” [16]

August 2016

“We’ve got to take this to the emotional and personal level. Oil and natural gas, they’re not the fuels of the past and maybe the present or a necessary evil. They are the future.” [2]

July 2009

“We’re very concerned about the negative impacts this legislation [the Waxman-Markey climate change bill] would have not just on domestic refining and petrochemical businesses, but on American consumers and our nation’s economic recovery as a whole. Anything that will negatively impact supply or the cost of energy will impact consumers, so it’s a false assumption that only industry will have to bear the burden of complying with a stringent, unrealistic climate change mandate. Both our employees and our customers will be adversely affected should such legislation be signed into law.” [13]

Key Deeds

June 2, 2017

Shortly after Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk quit as business advisor to President Trump, following Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate accord, Drevna weighed as an opponent to green energy subsidies: [26]

“Electric Vehicle and Solar Panel subsidies are a massive transfer of wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich,” Drevna said, quoted at The Washington Free Beacon. “We should not force those least able to afford it to pay for programs that will not benefit them and only continue line the pockets of the crony capitalists.” [26]

August 22–25, 2016

Charles Drevna attended at a Blacks in Government training session in Atlantic City, N.J. “He will continue to meet with a variety of groups in the coming months, he said, ticking examples off: Native Americans, inner-city residents, farmers, millennials, women and industry employees,” Climatewire reported. [3]

While Drevna did not speak at the event, Climatewire said “ surrogates with Project 21, an initiative by the National Center for Public Policy Research for black conservatives, helped deliver his message, according to National Policy Alliance Executive Director Linda Haithcox.” [3]

The National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) has received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the oil industry and right-wing foundations, according to data from Conservative Transparency. [25]

August 13, 2016

Charles Drevna announced the Fueling U.S. Forward campaign at the Red State Gathering and confirmed that the campaign is backed by Koch Industries (video below). [2], [12]

“We need a sustainable energy to ensure the future of the country,” Mr. Drevna told the audience.

The source of that energy? That which Mr. Drevna labeled “reliable, abundant, efficient and sustainable fuels.”

“Folks, that’s of course the fossil fuels,” he immediately added.

Huffington Post first reported on the campaign in February, 2016, noting the $10 million-a-year effort had been proposed by Koch Industries board member James Mahoney along with Charles Drevna with the goal “to boost petroleum-based transportation fuels and attack government subsidies for electric vehicles.” [11]

Drevna said at the Red State Gathering that “we are basically richer than ever before.” He quickly revised his statement, adding “as a world we are. As a nation we are basically richer than ever before.” [2]

According to Drevna, the oil industry has long “been engaged in asymmetric warfare.” He notes that “We’re partnering with other organizations too, especially non-traditional allies like the minority community. Who in the heck gets hit hardest and fastest when there’s an energy crisis and prices go up? They do.” [2]

November 3, 2015

Charles Drevna, while a Senior Fellow at the Institute for Energy Research (IER), testified before the House Science Subcommittees on Oversight and Environment to oppose the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), reports IER Read Drevna’s full testimony here. [17]

“The Renewable Fuel Standard was based on incorrect assumptions about oil production and consumption, as well as the ability of Congress and the administration to mandate and create incentives for innovation and vast technological and economic leaps in biofuel production” Drevna says in his written testimony. “The results of the RFS are a failure for America. […] is time to end the RFS and let American fuel producers focus on delivering the best products to American motorists.” [18]

Video of Drevna’s testimony below:

August, 2015

Charles Drevna, representing the American Energy Alliance (AEA), went on Fox News to criticize the EPA‘s Carbon Rule and the Clean Power Plan. See video below. [19]

March 19, 2012

Charles Drevna, representing the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) testified before the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence on “the implications of refinery closures for U.S. homeland security and critical infrastructure safety.” According to Drevna’s written testimony: [20]

“As we look to diversify our energy sources, we must not turn our back on petroleum-derived fuels that we will continue to depend upon for decades to come. To do so would simply disadvantage the consumer, harm our National economy, and erode our energy security.”

February, 2012

Charles Drevna debated Thom Hartmann on Keystone XL pipeline and alternative energy. In his interview, Drevna claims that his industry “doesn’t get subsidies:” [21]

Thom Hartman: “Many people would suggest that your industry is one of the largest welfare recipients int he united states and that you’re fighting vigorously to maintain your welfare payments. How do you respond to that?”
Charles Drevna: “Absolute fallacy. If you’re talking about subsidies, which is the misnomer of the year, of the decade, we as an industry—whether it’s refining, petrochemical, oil, or gas—we don’t get subsidies.”

In a 2015 report, The Guardian found that Shell alone was in line for $1.6 billion in state subsidy, according to a deal struck in 2012 when the company made an annual profit of $26.8 billion. [22]

April 28, 2010

Rep. Peter Welch questioned Charles Drevna at a hearing of the House Energy and Environment Subcommittee about subsidies that the oil industry enjoys. Welch notes that Drevna had previously testified in favor of energy policy that favors a “level playing field’ that would allow the most competitive form of energy to win out. However, when Welch notes several subsidies that have cost taxpayers billions of dollars while serving the oil industry, Drevna says that he is apposed to their repeal. Video below. [23]

October, 2009

Bloomberg News interviewed Charles Drevna on why he was opposed to the EPA‘s move to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Video below. [24]

Affiliations

American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers — Former President and Board Member. [7], [6]
Institute for Energy Research — Distinguished Senior Fellow. [5]
Tosco, Inc. — Former Director of state and federal government relations. [5]
Oxygenated Fuels Association — Former Director of government and regulatory affairs. [5]
Jefferson Waterman International — Former vice president. [5]
Sunoco — Held several positions including vice president for public affairs for Sun Coal CompanyNational Coal Association; and supervisor of environmental quality control for the Consolidation Coal Company. [5]

Publications

According to his profile at the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturer (AFPM), Drevna has appeared on Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network and CNB. He also offers “analysis and commentary” in the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, ABC News, and U.S. News and World Report. [7]

Sample Media Appearances

July 2, 2014 — Charles T. Drevna on Lou Dobbs Tonight – Steps to North American Energy Independence
May 7, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel- Automakers warn new ethanol mandate could damage vehicles
April 29, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on E&E TV‘s On Point- Refiners’ Drevna says RFS should be scrapped
April 23, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on Wall Street Journal Live- Opinion: EPA vs. Keystone
March 29, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel- Higher Gas Prices to Cover New Environmental Standards?
March 7, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on Wall Street Journal Live- The $3,000 Car Tax
February 27, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on CNBC– A Clog in the Nation’s Pipeline Infrastructure?
February 24, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel- Gas Prices Rise Sharply in February
February 10, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on PJTV– Nebraska Okays New XL Pipleline Route, But Will Obama Approve?
February 10, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel- America on the Way to Energy Independence?
January 22, 2013 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel – Nebraska Governor Approves Revised Keystone Route
December 4, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Newsmax TV– Keystone Decision Most Important of Obama’s Presidency
October 25, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Wall Street Journal Live- A High-Energy Debate
October 17, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel- Fact-checking the Debate Over Energy Policy
October 17, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel- Who won the energy debate?
August 13, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel’s Money With Melissa Francis- Rising Fuel Prices
July 23, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel’s Money With Melissa Francis- CNOOC to Buy Nexen
June 23, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel’s Fox & Friends- Phantom Fuel Mandate
June 22, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel’s The Neil Cavuto Show- Phantom Fuel Mandate
June 21, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News Channel’s Special Report- Phantom Fuel Mandate
June 20, 2012 — Wall Street Journal Live – Charles T. Drevna talks about EPA‘s $7 million hidden tax
June 13, 2012 — How American energy can transform the economy.
June 13, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox Business: Is Energy Independence a Realistic Goal?
June 8, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on syndicated radio program The Public Square
May 31, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna testifies to the House about President Obama’s ‘All of the Above’ Energy Strategy
May 8, 2012 — Wall Street Journal Live – Charles T. Drevna talks about the Obama administration’s war on fossil fuels
May 7, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox Business: TransCanada Reapplies for a Keystone XL Pipeline Permit
April 30, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna joins G. Gordon Liddy to talk about Obama’s war on fossil fuels
April 30, 2012 — Newsmax: Energy Expert Drevna: Obama Uses ‘Jekyll & Hyde Approach’ to Oil Policy
April 26, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Fox News: Auto industry regulations to lead to higher prices?
April 24, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on syndicated radio program Issues and Ideas with Chris DeBello
March 2, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Lou Dobbs Tonight: What Can Obama do to Ease Rising Gas Prices?
March 3, 2012 — E&E TV Interview: AFPM‘s Drevna says U.S. industry not responsible for rising prices
March 15, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on Lou Dobbs Tonight: Financial Speculation Playing a Role in High Gas Prices
March 19, 2012 — Charles T. Drevna on The Kudlow Report: Gas Prices: Is Obama to Blame?
February 6, 2012 — Audio Excerpts of Charles T. Drevna from the February 2012 Biodiesel Conference
January 23, 2012 — NPRA Becomes American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers – photos from launch event
March 9, 2011 — Chevron Video: How gas gets to your tank
January 5, 2011 — NPRA‘s Drevna on E&E TV‘s OnPoint: Discussing New Lawsuit on EPA E15 Decision
June 3, 2009 — NPRA President Charles T. Drevna Discusses Refining Industry’s Concerns with Waxman-Markey Climate Bill on E&ETV‘s OnPoint
May 27, 2009 — NPRA President Charles T. Drevna Discusses Canadian Oil Sands and U.S. Refining on CTV‘s Business News Network

Sample Publications

“Why Energy Matters,” The Hill, October 3, 2016.

Resources

“Charles T. Drevna: Distinguished Senior Fellow, Institute for Energy Research (IER)” (PDF), Institute for Energy Research. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.
Sharon Kelly. “New Koch-Funded Group ‘Fueling US Forward’ Aims to Promote the ‘Positives’ of Fossil Fuels,” Desmog, August 14, 2016.
Camille von Kaenel. “Group tells minorities, ‘We need fossil fuels’,” ClimateWire, September 6, 2016. Archived October 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/QTcEJ
“Drevna, Charles T: Lobbyist Profile,” OpenSecrets.org. Accessed October 18, 2016.
“Charles Drevna: DISTINGUISHED SENIOR FELLOW,” Institute for Energy Research. Archived October 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/FcQpT
“BOARD OF DIRECTORS,” American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers. Accessed October 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/6LusB
“Charles T. Drevna” (PDF), AFPM. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.
“AFPM ANNOUNCES CHET M. THOMPSON AS NEW PRESIDENT,” AFPM, April 1, 2016. Archived October 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Iu4IH
“Charles T. Drevna Joins IER,” Institute for Energy Research, May 26, 2015. Archived October 18, 2016. Archivei.is URL: https://archive.is/fyOUP
Jennifer A. Dlouhy. “Former refining lobbyist joins Institute for Energy Research”, FuelFix, May 26, 2015. Archived Octobe 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/Y9TqH
Peter Stone. “The Kochs Are Plotting A Multimillion-Dollar Assault On Electric Vehicles,” The Huffington Post, February 19, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jXPA4
“About the Event,” Red State Gathering. Archived October 17, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/S42PT
“NPRA‘s Drevna: Climate Bill Would Have Profound Implications,” Search Enterprises, Inc. July 27, 2009. Archived October 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/5eU8q
“White House Calls for ‘Urgent Action’ on Climate Change,” C-SPAN video, May 7, 2014.
“CHARLES DREVNA: CLIMATE CHANGE & ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE,” YouTube Video uploaded by EnergyEnvironment.TV. Archived .mp4 on file at Desmog.
Charles Drevna. “Why energy matters,” The Hill, October 3, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/9fFsk
“Charles Drevna to Testify on Broken RFS,” Institute for Energy Research, November 3, 2015. Archived October 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/OIAd3
“HEARING ON: RENEWABLE FUEL STANDARD A TEN YEAR REVIEW OF COSTS AND BENEFITS: TESTIMONY OF CHARLES DREVNA” (PDF), Institute for Energy Research, November 3, 2015. Archived .pdf on file at Desmog.
“Drevna: EPA‘s own analysis shows no climate benefit to carbon rule,” YouTube Video uploaded by user American Energy Alliance, August 4, 2015. Archived .mp4 on file at Desmog.
“FIELD HEARING before the SUBCOMMITTEE ON COUNTERTERRORISM AND INTELLIGENCE of the COMMITTEE ON HOMELAND SECURITY HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ONE HUNDRED TWELFTH CONGRESS SECOND SESSION,” U.S. Government Printing Office, March 19, 2012. Archived October 18, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/jFV1p
“Keystone XL & Alternative Energy – Charles Drevna,” YouTube Video Uploaded by User thomhartmann, February 10, 2012. Archived .mp4 on file at Desmog.
“US taxpayers subsidising world’s biggest fossil fuel companies,” The Guardian, May 12, 2015. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/anZ9Z
“Rep. Welch questions oil refinery official about industry subsidies,” YouTube Video uploaded by user RepPeterWelch, April 28, 2010. Archived .mp4 on file at Desmog.
“Inside Look – EPA Moves to Curb Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” Bloomberg, October 1, 2009.
“National Center for Public Policy Research,” Conservative Transparency. Accessed May 12, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/UkmIU
“Conservatives Target Musk Tax Subsidies as Low-hanging Fruit,” The Washington Free Beacon, June 2, 2017. Archived June 13, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/B3Tnt

Other Resources

“Charles Drevna,” Sourcewatch. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/msl8E
“New Koch-Funded Campaign to Kill the Electric Car and Squash Clean Energy,” The Center for Media and Democracy, August 30, 2016. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/mxiZ5
“With Kochs Now Attacking Electric Vehicles, Utilities Should Reexamine Their Friends,” Energy and Policy Institute. Archive.is URL: https://archive.is/3TSBe
“The Truth Behind The Kochs’ New Fossil Fuel PR Campaign,” ThinkProgress, September 8, 2016.

DeSmog

DeSmog

Charles Drevna

Charles Drevna

Credentials