Published: September 10, 2008

Pelosi Statement on IG Report Alleging Illicit, Unethical Behavior Within the Interior Department

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WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Pelosi issued the following statement on the report released today by the Interior Department's Inspector General detailing illicit and unethical behavior between more than a dozen current and former Minerals Management Service employees and oil company representatives:

"The allegations of illicit and unethical behavior detailed in the inspector general's report are directly related to the energy debate taking place in the Congress this week.

"From the beginning of the Bush-Cheney Administration, the two oil men in the White House have looked for the interests of Big Oil instead of the energy needs of the American people.

"Little did we know how cozy the relationship between Big Oil and the Administration's regulators have been. This report documents the 'pervasive culture of exclusivity' that has cheated the American taxpayer out of billions of dollars owed them by the oil companies.

"That is why the comprehensive Democratic energy bill not only expands domestic energy production, but also ensures that taxpayers receive a fair return from oil development, and that we end the public subsidies to companies enjoying record profits.

"Our energy legislation will bring down gas prices, protect taxpayers, invest in clean renewable energy, and provide an American-owned energy policy that the Bush-McCain Republicans have failed to deliver for the past eight years."

SOURCE Office of the Speaker of the House