German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche sued over US gas lobby contacts

Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) filed a lawsuit against German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche, demanding that she disclose contacts with US gas lobbyists made during her participation in the CERA Week conference in Houston, Texas. The minister attended the event in March, appearing on a panel alongside Jarrod Agen, the executive director of Donald Trump's Energy Dominance Council, and engaged in bilateral meetings that the ministry has not detailed.

Reiche has advocated for postponing the EU methane regulation, a move criticized as being influenced by pressure from the US LNG industry and the US government. The DUH’s request for transparency was ignored, prompting the legal action. The case highlights concerns about the use of industry conferences as lobbying platforms and the need for political accountability in Germany’s energy policy decisions.