In Morocco, the trip, which cost over 17,000 dollars just from the flight Pruitt was previously marked version of the investigation the inspector General of the EPA, because the cost of first class travel.
EPA inspector General expanded the investigation in the journey Pruitt after December letter to his office from Senator Tom Karper, d-Delaware, who need information about what that trip cost as much as 40,000$.
Karper also asked the inspector General to look at the purpose of the trip Pruitt, citing concerns that natural gas exports are not part of the Agency’s mission for environmental protection “protection of human health and the environment.”
In response to this request, the IG said that he wanted to expand the scope of the investigation the travel costs for Pruitt to the end of 2017 and would like to see the EPA compliance with all policies and procedures. The IG did not say in the letter that the query will include the subject of the trip.
Now some lawmakers are calling for the internal watchdog to draw attention to one of the missions Pruitt and propaganda of the US liquefied natural gas (LNG).
That appeared to go beyond the typical competencies of the Agency, the lawmakers told ABC news. The goal of promoting U.S. exports of oil and gas, as a rule, falls on the shoulders of the U.S. Department of energy.
“I think it’s outrageous,” the Congressman said. N. David Cicilline, Rhode island Democrat, told RIA Novosti on Tuesday evening. “The office for the protection of the environment is entrusted to serve the American people to keep our air pure and our water safe. This is not an area within his portfolio. It should not be a traveler, to promote the sale of LNG”.
Details Dec 2017 trip that included a two-day layover in Paris, have drawn attention from legislators-Democrats, especially after there were reports that Pruitt was a rental for $50 per night in the bedroom from his wife J. Steven HART, Chairman of Williams and Jensen, a firm that does lobbying in the oil and gas arena. The apartment was co-owned with his wife harta, who is a lobbyist for health.
At least two of William and customer Jensen, cheniere Energy and Exxon Mobil, were lobbyists working on issues associated with LNG, the returns show. HART was personally Registered to lobby in the woods yesterday, although he said in a statement that he made no contact with Pruitt or EPA on their behalf or any client.
Last year, cheniere energy Inc. reported to be paid by the firm HART is $ 80,000, and the firm specifically focused on “issues related to the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the confirmation of export and export of LNG.” The firm also lists on its website that he is lobbying other policies of EPA as the clean air act.
Press Secretary, cheniere energy, Rachel Carmichel told ABC news that the company has terminated its relationship with the firm HART in December 2017. The press Secretary said yesterday in the forest was aware of the relationship between Pruitt and the lobbyist and not used firm HART to talk to the EPA.
Exxon Mobil did not respond to questions about the matter.
A press-Secretary EPK Jahan Wilcox told ABC news that none of yesterday in the woods or Williams and Jensen participated in meetings with Pruitt in Morocco trip, or to prepare for foreign visit. Wilcox said in a press release issued after the trip that the activity described Pruitt in the country.
While there, the release says, Pruitt “outlined priorities United States environmental to update the environmental work plan under the agreement, U.S.-Morocco free trade.” Also according to the report, Pruitt discussed “the potential benefits of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the economy of Morocco.”
Andrew Harnik/APScott PruittEnvironmental protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt spoke at a press conference at the Agency for environmental protection in Washington, April 3, 2018.
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (d-RI) wrote a letter to Pruitt on Tuesday, wishing to get more information about the trip to Morocco. The staff of the Whitehouse is reviewing the planned meeting, Pruitt, and Senator said he was concerned about the record, confirming that it held “several meetings with companies and lobbying groups that have business interests in the import of LNG terminals and related facilities.”
Said Whitehouse in a letter, he was concerned that the decision in Pruitt trip to Morocco was influenced by the companies that sponsored his last political efforts
“We know from reports and public sources which Devon energy, a large natural gas producer and … the American Fuel and Petrochemical manufacturers each donated the sum of six figures to campaigning groups associated with You, and that Devon and other oil and gas companies were major participants in the campaign in Oklahoma city,” the White house wrote.
In 2010, Devon gave $5,000 for the Pruitt campaign for attorney General of Oklahoma. Representative of the Devon has not responded to messages. American Fuel and Petrochemical manufacturers also did not return calls for comment.
Letter from the Whitehouse also raised questions about the briefing noted on the calendar Pruitt, who was held to prepare for the trip to Morocco. Calendar entry showed the meeting was attended not by career employees of EPA, but the team of assistants Pruitt, who came with him on the EPA from Oklahoma.
“If it was the person who told you about your journey before you left, he would suggest that the goal had little to do with the mission of the EPA and more to do with the interests of his time in Oklahoma city,” the White house wrote. “Indeed, one of these interests is the importance of export of natural gas producers in Oklahoma.”
Environmental protection AgencyEPA administrator Scott Pruitt, center right, talks with the Moroccan Secretary of state Ministry of foreign Affairs, Mounia Boucetta, during a trip to Morocco in December 2017.
In addition, four other lawmakers have teamed up with a new request for information the Agency for environmental protection contact with lobbyist Pruitt, whose wife is co-owner of the apartment he rented. “Have you ever discussed your trip to Morocco for the promotion of liquefied natural gas from the lessor, their affiliates, or visitors you have met in your rental property? If Yes, what topics were discussed, and with whom?”, – the letter says. It is signed by U.S. senators Tom Udall, D-N. N. And Brian Schatz, d-Hawaii, and Reps. Don Beyer, d-VA. and Ted is d-California.
Press Secretary of the Agency told ABC news that the two career EPA went with the administrator, in addition to the senior advisors who had experience with it in Oklahoma.
Cicilline said he hopes that Congress will intervene to provide more scrutiny Pruitt publicly funded travel program.
“I would like to see us have some hearings to understand the process, to allow this trip to happen,” said Sicily. “We recognize the Executive authority has wide powers to travel to do my job. But we need to be sure that there are some significant oversight. That there is some process, some standards.”
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
