This is a typical example of the gross abuses of democratic process perpetrated by governmental bureaucracy, which happens on a daily business as usual basis.
It is common at the FDA, where executives of pharmaceutical drug companies have been hired at the FDA, where they have approved faulty studies allowing new pharmaceutical drugs to be sold, been caught at it and terminated, then rehired in a better executive position by their original employer.......
And also, below... at the DOE .... is there anyone, anywhere of sound mind and at least a grammar school education who could possibly believe that the Department of Energy should be hiring a senior Shell Oil lobbyist to fill a position with responsibilities concerning Federal Governmental energy POLICY ?!
This is collusion. These are traitorous acts. How can people's attention be brought to bear so that this sort of abuse of governmental power can be stopped?
Dave. ~ Think for Yourself. Question Authority
~ Globalize Consciousness Localize Economies
Dave Hartley (808) 879-7997 http://www.maui.net/~compudav
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In light of Shell's complicity with gross human rights abuses and ecological destruction in Nigeria, Peru, etc., this type of revolving door cronyism must stop! Write or call Sec. Pena and/or the White House (#202-456-1111)to let them know how you feel about creeping corporate corruption of our democracy.
Date: Tue, 18 Nov 1997 15:35:37 -0500 (EST)
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
Friends, your letters are encouraged...
11/17/97
Frederico Pena
Secretary of Energy
Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20585
Fax: (202) 586-4403
Dear Secretary Pena:
On behalf of our more than one-half million members, the Sierra Club would like to express our alarm regarding the possible selection of Shirley Neff to fill the position of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy at the Department of Energy. Ms. Neff currently serves as Senior Washington Representative for Shell Oil's Government Relations Department.
The Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy position oversees many of DOE's most sensitive environmental programs. The person holding this position will have direct authority over initiatives involving global warming and renewable energy, as well as oil, natural gas, and international programs. Selecting Shell's chief lobbyist to fill this position, at the very least, would cast a shadow over the Department of Energy's commitment to promoting cleaner forms of energy and sound policies to curb global warming.
Shell has amassed a record on the environment that is truly horrendous. Both within the US and internationally, they have opposed efforts to curb toxic emissions, curtail air pollution, and protect sensitive lands. On the issue of global warming they have joined with other oil corporations in opposing Administration efforts to curb emissions. Neff, as a senior lobbyist, helped lead Shell's efforts in the United States to block initiatives to curb global warming. She would have little credibility in promoting such initiatives at the Department of Energy.
Internationally, Shell has developed a reputation as a menace to the world's environment and a backer of brutal military dictatorships. In Nigeria, Shell is a key supporter of the military regime of General Sani Abacha. General Abacha uses his military to suppress dissent and terrorize environmental and community activists who express concern over Shell's environmental degradation.
In 1995, Shell refused to use its influence to spare the lives of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other environmental activists, whose efforts to call attention to environmental damage in Nigeria's Ogoniland resulted in their executions. Given that the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy has considerable influence over DOE's international activities, a top Shell official would be a particularly unfortunate choice to fill the position.
We cannot state strongly enough Sierra Club's opposition to the selection of Shirley Neff to fill this position. Such a choice would undoubtably do severe harm to the reputation of the Department of Energy's environmental programs, and it would raise significant conflict of interest issues. It is imperative that the candidate selected to fill the position of Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary have strong environmental credentials, which Ms. Neff does not possess.
Sierra Club strongly urges that Ms. Neff not be considered for such an important position.
Sincerely,
Carl Pope, Executive Director
Sierra Club
cc: Kathleen McGinty, Council On Environmental Quality
David Sandalow, Council On Environmental Quality
John Shattuck, State Department
Todd Stern, White House Climate Change Task Force
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