Washington, D.C. – Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) today released the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Inspector General released its report on actions by the agency to block the Pebble Mine in Alaska.

Chairman Smith: “The Inspector General’s (IG) report on EPA’s actions to block the Pebble Mine draws misleading conclusions without having all the facts. The IG itself admits that it was unable to obtain and review all relevant documents and was unable to interview a key subject about pertinent information the investigation had uncovered. It also appears that the IG failed to review a significant body of publically available information brought to light by the Science Committee that demonstrates clear instances of bias and predetermination on the part of the EPA. The Science Committee will continue to investigate the actions of the EPA.”

In November, the Committee held a hearing to review actions by the EPA to block the Pebble Mine from development before the project even applied for any permits. Witnesses at the hearing said that EPA did not rely on sound science in deciding to undertake a pre-emptive action to limit the Pebble Mine.