Document jBGOX1ezVrnOevb6VmMEkJq2Z

Message From: Sent: To: CC: Subject: Alemany, Jacqueline [AlemanyJ@cbsnews.com] 4/16/2018 5:48:26 PM Abboud, Michael [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=b6f5af791al842fladcc088cbf9ed3ce-Abboud, Mic] Wilcox, Jahan [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=88fd588e97d3405d869bcae98d391984-Wilcox, Ja h]; Daniell, Kelsi [/o=ExchangeLabs/ou=Exchange Administrative Group (FYDIBOHF23SPDLT)/cn=Recipients/cn=cd867173479344b3bda202b3004ff830-Daniell, Ke] Re: EPA Response to GAO Thank you!! From: "Abboud, Michael" <3bboud.michael@epa.gov> Date: Monday, April 16, 2018 at 1:39 PM To: editor <aSemanyj@cbsnews,com> Cc: Jahan Wilcox <wiicox.jahan@epa.gov>, "Daniell, Kelsi" <danieii.keisi@epa.gov> Subject: EPA Response to GAO Hey Jackie, see below and attached. "The GAO letter 'recognized the...need for employees to have access to a secure telephone line' when handling sensitive information. EPA is addressing GAO's concern, with regard to Congressional notification about this expense, and will be sending Congress the necessary information this week," Liz Bowman, EPA spokesperson. At the top of page 7, the GAO explains: "EPA's failure to make the necessary notification is the only subject of this opinion. However, we recognize the requirement to protect classified material and the need for employees to have access to a secure telephone line when handling such information in the course of conducting official agency business. After making the required notification, section 710 would have presented no bar to EPA's activities." Specifically, with regard to what GAO was investigating, OGC has responded, "Specifically, I have not identified any violation of section 710 of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2017 or the Antideficiency Act." Additional Background: Every year the operations and maintenance for the HQ structures is approximately $6 million. Michael Abboud U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Public Affairs M: 202-564-6461 Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Prod 1 ED 002061 00003761-00001