Andrew Restuccia writes the State Department’s IG office launched an inquiry following allegations of conflict of interest involving Keystone research contractor Environmental Resources Management.
âThe review found that our processes not only avoided conflicts of interest, but were more rigorous than required,â said State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki, according to the report.
Psaki added the department supports âthe recommendations in the OIGâs review that will contribute to improved guidelines, documentation and sharing of information.â
President Barack Obama is expected to hand down a decision on the Keystone project within the next few months, the publication reports.
âItâs long past time the president stop pandering to his extremist allies and just approve it so we can get people back to work,â said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House Speaker John Boehner.
Restuccia writes lawmakers have called on Secretary of State John Kerry to launch a study to evaluate the oil pipeline’s potential impact on people’s health.