EPA unable to find Scott Pruitt's Alternate Climate Science. Judge unimpressed.

I, citizenschallenge, am unaffiliated with PEER - I share their press release out of my own concerns that too few Americans are aware of the scope of the GOP’s ruthless, unethical, ME FIRST inspired, attacks on climate scientists and their work.  More people need to speak up and support legitimate thoughtful efforts such as those by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

...  Judge Howell chided “EPA’s continued mis-reading of the FOIA request” and for reiterating “already-rejected arguments.” But she did note that PEER had previously “helpfully clarified” the request and directed the parties to “to confer and submit, by noon on July 6, 2018, a joint report regarding the search criteria agreed-to and not agreed-to …”

“PEER is more than willing to help EPA search its own database, although one would think a federal agency should be capable of undertaking such a pursuit without needing guidance from a small non-profit,” (PEER's) Dinerstein added ...

EPA STILL CANNOT FIND PRUITT’S ALTERNATE CLIMATE SCIENCE

https://www.peer.org/news/news-releases/epa-still-cannot-find-pruitt’s-alternate-climate-science.html

peer.org

Agency Asks Court for More Time to Develop “an Appropriate Search Methodology”

For Immediate Release: Jul 02, 2018 | Tags: climate, EPA

Contact: Kirsten Stade  (nepeer[at]peer.org)

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility needs help to block Pruitt's insurgency against the EPA

I received the following email from Jeff Ruch, Executive Director of PEER  (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility) that I want to share.  PEER needs more help to block Pruitt’s insurgency against our nation’s EPA.  Can you offer them some support?

A new scheme by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt to raise private donations for a personal legal defense fund violates criminal conflict of interest laws and federal ethics rules, according to a new PEER complaint. 

Earlier this month, Pruitt admitted under questioning at a Senate subcommittee that he has created a “legal defense fund” even though he is not yet personally facing any civil suits or criminal charges.

Responding to congressional and other official inquiries is part of Scott Pruitt’s day job and he is not supposed to accept gifts for doing that job – a violation of the criminal conflict of interest prohibition against a government official having two paymasters. 

That offense is punishable by – Imprisonment up to one year for a knowing violation;

• Imprisonment up to five years for a willful violation; and/or
• Civil penalties of up to $50,000 for each violation.