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While the EPA is often portrayed as a massive bureaucracy, about half of its budget goes directly to other organizations through grants. While many of these are focused on cleanups and reducing environmental risks, the agency also funds scientific research into various health and environmental risks. The money for these research grants has historically been allocated based on a combination of scientific merit and environmental concerns.
All that started to change in August. That's when the EPA issued a new policy dictating that all grant programs must be run past a political appointee from the EPA's public affairs office. Now, a new report indicates that this PR specialist is cancelling individual grants.
The appointee is named John Konkus. He occupies the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Public Affairs, which is a public relations position. Konkus has a bachelor's degree in government and politics, and he appears to have no scientific background—the closest is having worked for former Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.) back when Boehlert chaired the House Science Committee. Since then, Konkus worked for then-Lieutenant Governor Rick Scott in Florida, spent time at a political consulting firm, and then got involved with the Trump campaign.
Despite the complete lack of scientific qualifications, however, the EPA decided to put him in charge of grants. In August, E&E News obtained a policy document stating that any proposals for grant programs need to be run through the Office of Public Affairs, specifically John Konkus. No funding program is allowed to go forward if Konkus does not approve it. This can include scientific funding, as well as grants for educational or environmental programs.
Now, The Washington Post is reporting that Konkus isn't only reviewing future grant programs; he has cancelled millions of dollars in grants that had already been through the review process and deemed worthy of funding. Some of these grants went to universities and so were likely involved in funding basic research. In addition, the report notes that the EPA briefly suspended funding for grants to Alaska at a time when the Trump administration was feuding with one of its senators.
According to the Post, "Konkus has told staff that he is on the lookout for 'the double C-word'—climate change—and repeatedly has instructed grant officers to eliminate references to the subject in solicitations."
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 07 2017, @09:08PM (2 children)
Gee, that's strange Phoenix. Given that the Clintons (according to you, ad infinitum, ad nauseam) are the most evil people in the world, I'd think you'd be exuberant with Trump's activities. His appointments have been so much better than the Hillster's would have been, right? Because by now, we'd all be dead from global thermonuclear war, right?
So tell me, what is it that's keeping you from getting with the program that *you* so whoieheartedly endorsed over and over and over again?
Just curious.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday September 07 2017, @10:19PM
Ralph Nader ran for president 4 times as a 3rd-party candidate.
He has come to realize that running as a non-Donkey/non-GOPer is a really difficult task.[1]
The deck is stacked by the incumbent parties.[2] [google.com]
Bernie's candidacy showed that it's the same deal even WRT The Old Guard within a party.
I'd think you'd be exuberant with Trump's activities. His appointments have been so much better than the Hillster's would have been, right?
When you're no longer a teenager and your brain has developed enough that it stops functioning as a binary coin-flipper, you may come to realize that the enemy of your enemy may not actually be your friend.
...and that there are over 100 million people eligible to be president.
...with nearly all of them better choices than Killery or Drumpf.
[1] I was about to say that "Nader couldn't even get arrested", but he nearly did when he acquired a ticket to a presidential debate and showed up to be an audience member.
The cops wouldn't let him in and they threatened to arrest him if he didn't go away.
Guess who gave the cops their instructions.
[2] The debates used to be held by The League of Women Voters.
After a few of those, The Reds and The Blues refused to participate and formed their own members-only exclusive club.
When a 3rd party meets their threshold, the incumbent parties simply raise the threshold.
-- OriginalOwner_ [soylentnews.org]
(Score: 1) by ants_in_pants on Thursday September 07 2017, @11:37PM
One can dislike both the Clintons and El Trumpo. After all, they both represent international capitalism more than anything else. I doubt a Clinton presidency would have been substantially different from what we have now... except people wouldn't be losing their minds, instead it would all be quiet and stately and gradual. It's pretty standard practice for Democrats to pretend to be progressive for their base and continue with policies that are essentially the same as their Republican 'counterparts' (see: Clinton, Obama). It amazes me that liberals believe them.
Oh and the TPP. I guess that's a plus on Trump's side, to balance out all his plutocracy, fascism and stupidity.
-Love, ants_in_pants