Document LK2QwY9ENjBnB7667qLOEogmb

Document 83 From: Sent: To: Subject: Woods, Andrea Wed, 5 Feb 2025 01:45:16 +0000 Thomas Catenacci; Dietderich, Ben Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Secretary Wright to Deliver Remarks tomorrow Hi Thomas! Looking forward to working with you again! From: Thomas Catenacci <catenacci@freebeacon.com> Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2025 8:33 PM To: Dietderich, Ben <ben.dietderich@hq.doe.gov> Cc: Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods@hq.doe.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Secretary Wright to Deliver Remarks tomorrow Appreciate the heads up, Ben. Also happy to see Andrea on the team! All the best, Thomas On Tue, Feb 4, 2025 at 8:27 PM Dietderich, Ben <ben.dietdericha,hq.doe.gov> wrote: Hi Thomas, I wanted to pass along a link to Secretary Wright's welcome remarks to the DOE staff tomorrow at 11 am ET. You can watch those remarks at (b) (6) . We ask that you don't publicly share the link but feel free to use any of his remarks for reporting purposes. Best, Ben Dietderich Press Secretary & Chief Spokesperson U.S. Department of Energy ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Document 90 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Thomas Catenacci Thu, 27 Feb 2025 10:27:23 -0500 Woods, Andrea Dietderich, Ben; DOE NEWS Re: [EXTERNAL] Press inquiry - Free Beacon Sounds good, appreciate it! Thomas On Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 9:54 AM Woods, Andrea <andrea.woodsghsdoe.gov> wrote: Hi Thomas, Ben is actually on the road today with the Secretary but let me check into this for you. Will do our best to get you something by 2pm today. Thanks! Andrea Andrea Woods Deputy Director Office ofPublic Alfitim MOBILE (b)(6) - Sec. Wright From: Thomas Catenacci <catenaccik)freebeacon.com> Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM To: Dietderich, Ben hq.doe.gov> Cc: DOE NEWS <doenews@hq.doe.gov>, Woods, Andrea <andrea.woodsa.hq.doe.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Press inquiry - Free Beacon Hi Ben, In its final days in office, the Biden administration issued a waiver exempting a wide range of DOE programs from being required to meet Build America, Buy America standards for solar panels. The move opens the door for recipients of large federal grants and loans--including those awarded via the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program and LPO's Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment Financing program--to source solar supplies from China. https://www. energy.govisite s/defau lt/files/2024-12/BABA%20WAV%20202508%20Omnibus%20Proposed%20Nonavailability%20Solar%20WaiverV02012.12.2024%20CLE AN.pdf Is this something that DOE is reviewing? Is it considering an action to rescind this omnibus waiver? Deadline for this is 2 p.m. EST. Best, Thomas Catenacci Reporter I Washington Free Beacon e: catenacci@freebeacon.com c. (b) (6) ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Document 70 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Thomas Catenacci Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:07:35 -0500 Woods, Andrea Dietderich, Ben; DOE NEWS Re: [EXTERNAL] Press inquiry - Free Beacon Sounds good. Appreciate you looking into this. Thomas On Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods@hq.doe.gov> wrote: Hi Thomas, Apologies for the delay! DOE is reviewing this waiver issued by the previous administration. If I have anything more I can share on this in the coming weeks, we'll be in touch! Thanks, Andrea From: Thomas Catenacci <catenacci@freebeacon.com> Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM To: Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods@hq.doe.gov> Cc: Dietderich, Ben <ben.dietderichAhq.doe.gov>, DOE NEWS <doenewsAhq.doe.gov> Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Press inquiry - Free Beacon Sounds good, appreciate it! Thomas On Thu, Feb 27, 2025 at 9:54 AM Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods@hq.doe.gov> wrote: Hi Thomas. Ben is actually on the road today with the Secretary but let me check into this for you. Will do our best to get you something by 2pm today. Thanks! Andrea Error! Filename not specified. Andrea Woods Deputy Director Office ofPublic Affairs MOBILE (b) (6) From: Thomas Catenacci <catenacci@freebeacon.com> Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 9:51 AM To: Dietderich, Ben <ben.dietderich@hq.doe.gov> Cc: DOE NEWS <doenewsabg.doe.gov>, Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods(hq.doe.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Press inquiry - Free Beacon Hi Ben, In its fmal days in office, the Biden administration issued a waiver exempting a wide range of DOE programs from being required to meet Build America, Buy America standards for solar panels. The move opens the door for recipients of large federal grants and loans--including those awarded via the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships Program and LPO's Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment Financing program--to source solar supplies from China. https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2024-12/BABA%20WAV%20202508%20Omnibus%20Proposed%20Nonavailability%20Solar%20Waiver%2012.12.2024%20CLE AN.pdf Is this something that DOE is reviewing? Is it considering an action to rescind this omnibus waiver? Deadline for this is 2 p.m. EST. Best, Thomas Catenacci Reporter I Washington Free Beacon e: catenacciafreebeacon.com c: (b) (6) Error! Filename not specified. ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Document 82 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Woods, Andrea Fri, 14 Mar 2025 18:44:00 +0000 Aaron Sibarium; Dietderich, Ben DOE NEWS RE: [EXTERNAL] Re: Media Inquiry: Chanda Prescod-Weinstein's role on HEPAP Hi Aaron, We're still working on this for you! Thanks, Andrea From: Aaron Sibarium <sibarium@freebeacon.com> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2025 2:38 PM To: Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods@hq.doe.gov>; Dietderich, Ben <ben.dietderich@hq.doe.gov> Cc: DOE NEWS <doenews@hq.doe.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Media Inquiry: Chanda Prescod-Weinstein's role on HEPAP Hi, just checking in on this. Ben told me yesterday that your office would try to get me a quote by COB today. Let me know if it's possible to get me something by 5:00 PM. Best, Aaron On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM Aaron Sibarium <sibarium@freebeacon.com> wrote: Dear Ms. Woods and Mr. Dietderich, This is Aaron Sibarium with the Washington Free Beacon. I am reporting a story about Chanda Prescod-Weisntein's role on the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (HEPAP), which advises the Department of Energy on research and funding priorities. Prescod-Weinstein has argued, that "white empiricism" is endemic to physics and undermines Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. She has also accused Israel of genocide, falsely claimed that James Webb led a withunt against gay employees at NASA, and written that string theory "failed to succeed" because the field has too many white men. Prescod-Weinstein was appointed to HEPAP by Joe Biden in 2024, before the Trump administration's executive orders on DEI went into effect. Her term on the panel is not set to expire until 2027. I'm reaching out to see if the Energy Department has any comment on PrescodWeinstein and whether it will revisit her role on the panel. I'm reachable at this email or by phone--(b) (6) My deadline for the story is 12 PM tomorrow. Thank you, Aaron Sibarium ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Document 84 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Washington, Emery Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:34:47 +0000 Aaron Sibarium DOE NEWS; Woods, Andrea; Dietderich, Ben Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Media Inquiry: Chanda Prescod-Weinstein's role on HEPAP Hi! Thank you for your patience. Please see the following statement you can attribute to a DOE spokesperson: "The High Energy Physics Advisory Panel is a scientific advisory panel to the Office of High Energy Physics in DOE's Office of Science and the National Science Foundation's Directorate of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. Advisory panels such as HEPAP meet under the guidelines established by the Federal Advisory Committee Act and provide guidance on longrange plans, priorities, and strategies for scientific research programs. HEPAP meeting topics are limited to technical discussions of current developments and research directions within particle physics and related fields. HEPAP members are appointed to the panel, following extensive reviews and approval of the membership by the Secretary of Energy, by the Under Secretary for Science and Innovation (or designee) and the Director of the NSF. The DOE and NSF review HEPAP's membership annually and assesses each candidate's alignment with the Department of Energy's objectives, and whether the candidate possesses relevant knowledge and experience in the fields they will represent. Prof. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein was appointed by the Eiden-Harris administration and has served since 2024. She attended two HEPAP meetings, May (in person) and December (remote) 2024. At the December meeting, she contributed to discussion of several topics, all of which were related to the agenda items. The recording for this meeting is available on the HEPAP website: https://science.osti.gov/hep/hepaplMeetings" Best regards, Emery Washington Deputy Press Secretary Office of Public Affairs MOBILE (b) (6) From: Aaron Sibarium <sibarium@freebeacon.com> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2025 2:37 PM To: Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods@hq.doe.gov>; Dietderich, Ben <ben.dietderich@hq.doe.gov> Cc: DOE NEWS <doenews@hq.doe.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: Media Inquiry: Chanda Prescod-Weinstein's role on HEPAP Hi, just checking in on this. Ben told me yesterday that your office would try to get me a quote by COB today. Let me know if it's possible to get me something by 5:00 PM. Best, Aaron On Thu, Mar 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM Aaron Sibarium <sibarium@freebeacon.com> wrote: Dear Ms. Woods and Mr. Dietderich, This is Aaron Sibarium with the Washington Free Beacon. I am reporting a story about Chanda Prescod-Weisntein's role on the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (HEPAP), which advises the Department of Energy on research and funding priorities. Prescod-Weinstein has argued that "white empiricism" is endemic to physics and undermines Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. She has also accused Israel of genocide, falsely claimed that James Webb led a withunt against gay employees at NASA, and written that string theory "failed to succeed" because the field has too many white men. Prescod-Weinstein was appointed to HEPAP by Joe Biden in 2024, before the Trump administration's executive orders on DEI went into effect. Her term on the panel is not set to expire until 2027. I'm reaching out to see if the Energy Department has any comment on Prescod-Weinstein and whether it will revisit her role on the panel. I'm reachable at this email or by phone--(b) (6) My deadline for the story is 12 PM tomorrow. Thank you, Aaron Sibarium ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Document 86 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Thomas Catenacci Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:43:11 -0400 Dietderich, Ben Woods, Andrea; DL-PAPress Re: [EXTERNAL] Question on LPO actions - Free Beacon Appreciate it, Ben! That would be fantastic. Thomas On Tue, Mar 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM Dietderich. Ben <bcn.dietdericha,hq.doc.eov> wrote: Hi Thomas, We will keep you posted on these and would love to set up an interview with Secretary Wright soon. In the meantime, here is a statement: "The Department of Energy is conducting a department-wide review to ensure all activities follow the law and align with the Trump administration's priorities. The American people provided President Trump with a mandate to govern and to unleash `American Energy Dominance.' The Department of Energy is hard at work to deliver on President Trump's promise to restore affordable, reliable, and secure energy to the American people." Best, Ben Dietderich Press Secretary & Chief Spokesperson U.S. Department of Energy (b) (6) From: Thomas Catenacci <catenacci@freebeacon.com> Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM To: Woods, Andrea <andrea.woods@bq.doe.gov> Cc: Dietderich, Ben <ben.dietderich@hg.doe.gov>, DOE NEWS <doenews@hg.doe.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] Question on LPO actions - Free Beacon Hey Andrea! Reaching out because I saw reports that the DOE is assembling a list of projects the previous administration used grants and loans to fund that may face elimination. Does DOE have anything to share on this? Overall, the Biden admin announced $107.7B in loan funding for 53 projects. 25 of those loans (worth $60.6B) have closed. 27 ($46.9B) are still pending. How many of these pending loans is DOE considering canceling? Does DOE believe taxpayers should be footing the bill for EV battery factories owned by major automakers Ford, GM, and Stellantis? We are particularly interested in the LPO's activities given our previous reporting on that topic (linked below). Biden-Harris Admin Races To Dish Out $25 Billion for Green Energy Befre Trump Takes Office, Sparking Fraud Fears https://freebeacon.com/biden-harris-administration/biden-hanis admin-races-to-dish-out-25-billion-for-green-energy-before-trump-takes-office-sparking-fraud fears/ Biden's Lame-Duck Loan Czar Finalizes $1.6 Billion Award to Green Power Company He Invested In bttps://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/bidens-lame-duck-loan-czar-finalizes1-6-billion-award-to-green-power-company-be-invested-in/ Biden-Backed Battery Company Defends Chinese Partner Following Free Beacon Report https://freebeacon.com/energy/biden-backed-battery-company-defends-chinese-partner following-free-beacon-report/ Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm Spends Final Days in Office Sending Billions to Home State, Defying Inspector General https://freebeacon.com/energy/energy-secreta1y jennifer-granholm-spends-fmal-days-in-office-sending-billions-to-home-state/ Republican Leaders Demand Biden-Harris Admin Freeze Lame Duck Green Loans Following Free Beacon Report bttps://freebeacon.com/biden-barris-administration/republican leaders-demand-biden-admin-freeze-lame-duck-green-loans-following-free-beacon-report/ Solar Company That Received $3 Billion Biden Loan Warns It Might Go Bankrupt https://freebeacon.com/energy/solar-company-that-received-3-biJlion-biden-loan warns-it-might-go-bankrupt/ Thank you! Thomas Cate'a cci Reporter I Washington Free Beacon e: catenacci@freebeacon.com c: (b) (6) Li ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Document 88 From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Thomas Catenacci Wed, 2 Apr 2025 09:40:01-0400 Woods, Andrea; Dietderich, Ben DL-PAPress [EXTERNAL) Re: Question on RMI grant cancellations - Free Beacon Following up to see if there is any interest here. Thank you! Thomas On Tue, Apr 1, 2025 at 11:57AM Thomas Catenacci <catenacci@freebeacon.com> wrote: Hi Andrea and Ben, I saw this report that the DOE is canceling grants awarded to the left-wing think tank Rocky Mountain Institute by the previous administration. Can the DOE share more info on this and provide a more detailed explanation for this decision? https://apnews.com/a rticle/trump-energy-department-clean-energy-wind-solar-batterieshydrogen-fossil- fuels-cfldff9ee771c566765e9ca3e3599d91 As you are aware, RMI has led efforts to ban gas stoves and boasts a number of ties to the Chinese Communist Party. It has also received millions of dollars from prominent left-wing grantmakers. We would love to highlight this grant cancellation, if possible. Let me know if you could get something over by around 3pm EST. Thank you! All the best, Thomas Catenacci Reporter I Washington Free Beacon e: catenacci@freebeacon.com c: (b) (6) ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Document 92 From: Sent: To: Subject: Alana Goodman Mon, 5 May 2025 11:05:58 -0400 Woods, Andrea Re: [EXTERNAL] media inquiry - Cholla coal plant Andrea, checking back to see if you're able to comment on this. Thanks! Alana On Fri, May 2, 2025 at 11 :10 AM Alana Goodman <goodman@freebeacon.com> wrote: Monday at 10 a.m. Thanks! On Fri, May 2, 2025 at 11:05 AM Woods, Andrea <andrea.woodsghg.doe.gov> wrote: Ili Alana, What's your deadline for this? Thanks! Andrea From: Alana Goodman <goodman@freebeacon.com> Date: Friday, May 2, 2025 at 11:02 AM To: DOE NEWS <doenewsgthg.doe.gov> Subject: [EXTERNAL] media inquiry - Cholla coal plant Hi, It's Alana Goodman with the Washington Free Beacon. I'm reaching out about the Cholla coal plant in Arizona. During an investor call yesterday, Arizona Public Service said Cholla isn't reopening as a coal plant. President Trump in his executive order on coal last month directed Secretary Wright to make sure the coal plant is reopened. Is the DOE aware that APS is moving forward with plans to permanently close it? What steps is the DOE taking to stop this from happening? Also, in January the DOE approved a $1.8 billion loan guarantee for APS to fund various projects. Is that loan still expected to go forward, even if APS declines to reopen the plant? Thanks, Alana Alana. Goodman Senior Investigative Reporter Washington Free Beacon Cell: (b) (6) ******************************************************************** This message does not originate from a known Department of Energy email system. Use caution if this message contains attachments, links or requests for information. ******************************************************************** Alana Goodman Senior Investigative Reporter Washington Free Beacon Alana Goodman Senior Investigative Reporter Washington Free Beacon