Environmentalists Request Ethics Probe of Lobbyist Ties to EPA Amendment

Greenpeace has asked the Senate’s Select Committee on Ethics to examine the “depth of the relationship” between Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) staff and two energy industry lobbyists. The staffers consulted the lobbyists, both EPA officials under President Bush who now lobby on energy policy, about a proposed amendment that would prevent the EPA from regulating greenhouse gases.

Greenpeace sent their letter to Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), who is chair of the ethics panel, saying, “We think the public deserves at least an inquiry from the Senate Committee on Ethics into the depth of the relationship between Senator Murkowski’s staff and these two lobbyists.”

All 12 Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee have signed a letter opposing the Murkowski amendment. The Senate may take up the issue as early as next week.

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