Tracking big oil: National environmental groups challenge federal investigation of Arctic researcher Charles Monnett

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Who's in charge of Arctic science? PHOTO COURTESY USGS/STEVEN AMSTRUP.

Federal regulators say scientists integrity and contracting are at the basis of the investigation

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Two national environmental groups have formally requested a full investigation into the suspension of Dr. Charles Monnett, an Arctic researcher who has been the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Interior Inspector General.

Monnett works for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, the federal agency that permits offshore drilling. During a research project several years ago, Monnett saw drowned polar bears in the Arctic Ocean and later published an article on his observations.

The Center for Biological Diversity and Greenpeace say they are looking for documents that might show whether Monnett was the subject of correspondence between the agency and Shell Oil, which last week won approval for a controversial plan to drill in the coastal water of the Beaufort Sea.

Monnett’s circumstances were brought to light by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, a watchdog and whistle-blower protection group. Memos and other documents suggest that the investigation of Monnett focused on his polar bear research. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, endangered species, energy, Environment, global warming, oil drilling, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Feds change tune on investigation of Arctic scientist

Posted on August 2, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Previous questioning of Charles Monnett focused on research; Inspector General‘s office now says it’s about contract procurement and project management

A female polar bear and her two cubs travel along the ice pack north of the Alaska coast.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The federal government is now saying its investigation of a biologist working in the Arctic is related to the management and procurement side of a polar bear study, despite the fact that investigators questioned the researcher extensively about his scientific work in a previous interview.

In a Feb. 23 interview, Department of Interior Inspector General officials who identified themselves as criminal investigators exhaustively questioned Charles Monnet about his aerial survey work involving whales and polar bears, with no questions relating to the procurement side of the work.

Monnet works for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the agency that reviews and permits offshore oil and gas drilling projects. He was suspended July 18 pending results of the investigation. (more…)

Filed under: climate and weather, endangered species, energy, Environment, gas drilling, global warming, oil drilling, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

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