Topic: Environment & Energy

DOJ Withheld Records Response Regarding Legal Memo on Antitrust Probe into Automaker Emissions Deal

April 17, 2020
The Department of Justice stated that it had located records responsive to American Oversight's request for records regarding a legal memo on antitrust probe saying that documents, but it withheld the documents in full.

Records Request to the Texas Governor’s Office of Texas Seeking Grid Reliability Assessments

April 12, 2020
Public records request to the Texas Governor's Office seeking assessments regarding the reliability of the Texas energy grid.

Records Request to Public Utility Commission of Texas Seeking Grid Reliability Assessments

April 12, 2020
Public records request to the Public Utility Commission of Texas seeking assessments about the reliability of the Texas energy grid.

News Roundup: Corruption and Coronavirus

April 10, 2020
Trump is apparently counting on the public to be too distracted by the coronavirus to pay much attention to his continuing dictator-like purges of government officials and his brazen rejection of oversight. 

No Records Response from EPA Regarding Communications with Industry Lobbyists on Well Control Rule

April 9, 2020
The Environmental Protection Agency stated that it had no records responsive to American Oversight's request for communications with industry lobbyists, including meetings on blowout preventer systems and the well control rule.

EPA Communications with the Heritage Foundation and Petroleum Industry Groups

April 8, 2020
Environmental Protection Agency records of emails and meetings with the Heritage Foundation, the American Petroleum Institute and the Independent Petroleum Association of America
. American Oversight sought these records to learn more about meetings between key officials and the members of and advocates for the oil and gas industry regarding the proposed rule rolling back methane emissions standards.

No Records Response from USDA Regarding Agency Guidance about Alaska’s Tongass National Forest

April 7, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture stated that it had no records responsive to American Oversight's request for agency guidance and policies regarding the Tongass National Forest. American Oversight seeks these records to shed light on reporting from the Washington Post that President Trump instructed Secretary Perdue to exempt Tongass from the Roadless Rule.

Fish and Wildlife Documents Concerning Environmental Impact of Border Wall in A National Refuge

April 2, 2020
American Oversight obtained documents from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluding that a border wall would cause "serious and likely irreparable" damage to the refuges in the lower Rio Grande River valley and would undo tens of millions of dollars in investments made in stabilizing those refugees.

No Records Response from the USFWS Regarding Communications with Fisher Industries or We Build the Wall

April 1, 2020
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southwest Region stated it had no records of communications between select officials and representatives of Fisher Industries or We Build the Wall. Fisher Sand and Gravel won a $400 million contract to build a span of new barrier in Arizona.

DOI Calendar Entries Responsive to Request for Records Concerning Border Wall

March 27, 2020
Records of calendar invitations from the Department of the Interior responsive to American Oversight's initial request for communications between select officials and representatives of Fisher Sand and Gravel, a construction company contracted to build a portion of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, or representatives of We Build the Wall, an organization raising private funds to build sections of the U.S.-Mexico border wall.