Full Breakdown
Katherine Scarlett Leaves White House CEQ for K Street Lobbying Firm CGCN
7/7/2026, 10:52:38 PM
Core Event: Scarlett Joins CGCN as Partner
Katherine Scarlett, who chaired White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) until September 2025, has left administration to become a partner at CGCN Group, a K Street firm that offers lobbying, communications, policy and regulatory consulting.
Background: Permitting Reform Under the Trump Administration
Scarlett helped accelerate federal permitting for infrastructure and led changes to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) after presidential executive orders and the Supreme Court’s Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County decision. The administration’s agenda aimed to shorten environmental review timelines and ease restrictions on energy and pipeline projects.
Key Figures, Organizations & Financials
- Katherine Scarlett – former CEQ chair, former special assistant at CEQ, former staffer on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee.
- CGCN Group – led by CEO Michael Catanzaro, former special assistant for domestic energy and environmental policy. The firm’s lobbying roster includes Duke Energy Corp. and TransCanada Pipelines USA Ltd., and it runs American Energy + AI Coalition. Bloomberg Government reports CGCN’s lobbying revenue rose 96% in 2025 to $19.2 million.
- Shelley Moore Capito – Chair of the Senate EPW Committee, Scarlett’s former employer.
Official Statements & Responses
CGCN CEO Michael Catanzaro said Scarlett will be “heavily leaned on” by clients for insight into the pending permitting reform bill and its chances of passage. Former EPW Chair Shelley Moore Capito praised Scarlett as “a key player in permitting reform” whose expertise “has been invaluable.” Democratic lawmakers and environmental groups have publicly opposed the administration’s NEPA rollbacks and are reviewing the Republican-drafted permitting proposal during district work period. Senate negotiations on the overhaul continue behind the scenes.
Criticism & Opposition
Democrats and environmental organizations argue the NEPA changes weaken protections and accelerate projects without adequate review, framing the upcoming permitting bill as a continuation of those rollbacks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “She was the White House lead in negotiating the permitting reform bill they’re now working on,” — Michael Catanzaro, CEO, CGCN Group
- “Clients will be leaning on her heavily about what’s in the bill, and can it get across the finish line.” — Michael Catanzaro, CEO, CGCN Group
- “I’m really excited to get focused on the client side,” — Katherine Scarlett, Former CEQ Chair
- “It was an honor to serve the president at such a huge time for permitting.” — Katherine Scarlett, Former CEQ Chair
- “Katherine has been a key player in permitting reform from her years working for me at EPW to leading CEQ at the White House,” — Shelley Moore Capito, Chair, Senate EPW Committee
What’s Next
Democrats will scrutinize the Republican permitting proposal during district work period, while CGCN’s clients are expected to lean on Scarlett for advice on how the bill’s language may affect upcoming projects.
