WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) questioned Department of Energy (DOE) nominee Susan Beard about her qualifications to be the agency’s next inspector general. Beard testified at today’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing.
On Concerns About Independence and Objectivity as DOE IG:
“Following up on some of the things Senator Murkowski asked and said in her opening statement, you’ve served at the Department of Energy since 1989, as Senator Murkowski mentioned—a long, distinguished career.
“You have been a legal advocate for the agency for 27 years.
“The position to which you have been nominated— the position of inspector general—is effectively a lifetime appointment.
“If confirmed, you will be asked to audit and investigate an agency that you have promoted for decades, as Senator Murkowski has said.
“If confirmed, you will be asked to audit and investigate colleagues. People with whom you have worked for decades and who made decisions based upon your own advice.
“So I think all of us have questions about whether you or anyone in these circumstances—would be able to exercise sufficient independence and objectivity to be an effective Inspector General.
“I understand that—prior to your nomination— the department’s general counsel asked you if you had interest in filling this vacancy.
“To be candid, I find that cause for concern. That they would ask if you would be willing to fill the vacancy.
“So is it reasonable for us to assume—that after 27 years as an advocate for the department— that you will be an effective watchdog of that same department?”
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Ms. Beard on Objectivity and Independence at DOE IG
On Whether Ms. Beard will Recuse Herself from Reviews of DOE’s Uranium Transfers:
“You have served as ‘Assistant General Counsel for General Law’ at the department since 2004, so the last 11, 12 years.
“In this capacity, you have addressed questions concerning the department’s
compliance with federal law including the Freedom of Information Act, ethics laws, congressional appropriations.
“Have you also worked on issues related to the department’s compliance with
what’s called the miscellaneous receipts statute?
“That’s the law that requires officials who receive proceeds on behalf of the federal government to deposit those proceeds into the Treasury.
“So in 2011, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that the department’s transfers of excess uranium to USEC and the Fluor Corporation violated the miscellaneous receipts statute.
“The Office of General Counsel disputed the GAO’s finding.
“Have you worked on issues related to the miscellaneous receipts statute and the department’s transfers of excess uranium? That specific component?
“So if confirmed, will you recuse yourself then from matters involving the Department’s transfers of excess uranium?
“Have you worked on issues related to the department’s compliance with the Atomic Energy Act and the USEC Privatization Act?”
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Ms. Beard on if she will recuse herself from reviews of DOE’s uranium transfers.
On Concerns about the Former DOE IG’s Investigation into FERC:
“In September 2015, the inspector general issued a report on enforcement activities at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
“Among other things, the report examined whether FERC and the utility, Exelon, arranged a ‘quid pro quo’ connecting FERC’s approval of Exelon’s merger with Constellation Energy to Constellation’s settlement with FERC.
“I tell you, I was very unimpressed with the inspector general’s investigation into the matter.
“I was especially disappointed that the inspector general was unwilling to speak with individuals outside of FERC during this year-long investigation.
“I know you may not be completely familiar with the details of the report.
“But, as a general matter, do you believe an inspector general should be willing to speak with individuals outside of the government when investigating the government?”
Click here for video of Sen. Barrasso questioning Ms. Beard on DOE IG’s investigation into FERC.