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Jackson, Ryan[jackson.ryan@epa.gov] POLITICO Pro Wed 8/30/2017 9:58:38 PM Interior IG ends investigation of Zinke's call to Murkowski
By Ben Lefebvre
08/30/2017 05:55 PM EDT
The Interior Department's inspector general ended the investigation into whether Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke broke ethics rules in calls to Alaska Republican senators last month over their votes to repeal Obamacare, calling the initial investigation "unproductive."
The IG's efforts foundered after Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan declined to answer questions from the inspector general's office, Deputy Inspector General Mary Kendall said in an Aug. 29 letter to Reps. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.), who had called for the inquiry.
"Both Senators Murkowski and Sullivan declined to be interviewed or to provide statements regarding the matter," Kendall wrote.
Kendall also wrote that because the episode was "extensively covered" by news outlets, her office "does not believe that it could meaningfully investigate the matter further."
Zinke called Murkowski and Sullivan in July after Murkowski had voted against repealing Obamacare legislation. During the call, Zinke said Murkowski's vote could endanger President Donald Trump's support for energy projects important to Alaska.
Interior plays a big role in Alaska, where the federal government controls 61 percent of the land. Interior is reviewing a multitude of projects tied to Alaska energy development, including a possible opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas drilling and allowing offshore oil drilling in currently off-limits Arctic waters.
A spokesman for the Democrat staff on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, of which Pallone is ranking member, said the IG's decision to end the probe was "unfortunate."
WHAT'S NEXT: The GAO is also investigating Zinke's calls to the Alaska senators.
To view online'. https://www.politicopro.com/energy/whiteboard/2017/08/interior-ig-ends-investigation-of-zinkescall-to-murkowski-092299
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Jackson, Ryan[jackson.ryan@epa.gov] Bloomberg BNA Mon 10/23/2017 11:30:16 PM Oct. 24 - Daily Environment Report
Daily Environment Report
October 24, 2017 - Number 204
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