From Sitka, today, where Must Read Alaska found an American bald eagle colluding with a Russian Orthodox Church to dry its wings. In broad daylight.
DRUE PEARCE HEADS BACK TO FEDERAL AGENCY WORK?
The word on the wind is that the U.S. Department of Transportation received White House clearance this week for Drue Pearce to be named Deputy Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Pearce, from Anchorage, is former president of the Alaska Senate and former head of the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. She was removed from that post by President Barack Obama, who appointed Larry Persily in her place. She has been working on energy issues in the private sector.
Pearce is a subject expert on regulatory and permitting matters especially pertaining to pipelines. Must Read Alaska’s has made an effort to reach her for confirmation of her appointment.
RENKES APPOINTMENT STALLED?
Gregg Renkes, former Attorney General for Alaska, was said to be up for an appointment at the Department of Interior at the request of the Alaska Delegation. We’ve heard that the appointment has been put on hold, but it is not clear if it’s a White House hold or because Sen. Lisa Murkowski has cancelled hearings on appointments.
Meanwhile, the man who stuck by Donald Trump through thick and thin — Reince Priebus — now has the title of the shortest tenure for any presidential chief of staff since the position was first established in 1946. He lasted 189 days. Priebus was the chairman of the Republican National Committee before joining the Trump Administration.
New Jersey Rep. Frank Pallone and Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva are calling for an investigation after Sec. of Interior Ryan Zinke called Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan to lobby them on Obamacare reform.
The two Democrat lawmakers have asked the Government Accountability Office and the Interior Department’s independent inspector general investigate Zinke’s calls. Grijalva is calling the phone calls “Kremlin tactics.”
