The EPA Used “Covert Propaganda” To Push Clean Water Rule
The Government Accounting Office (GAO) concluded that the EPA violated federal law and participated in “covert propaganda” through social media in order to encourage passage of Obama’s new and controversial “Clean Water Rule.”
From the report:
“The use of appropriated funds associated with implementing EPA’s Thunderclap campaign and establishing hyperlinks to the NRDC and to the Surfrider Foundation webpages violated prohibitions against publicity or propaganda and grassroots lobbying contained in appropriations acts for FYs 2014 and 2015. Because EPA obligated and expended appropriated funds in violation of specific prohibitions, we also conclude that EPA violated the Antideficiency Act, 31 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(1)(A), as the agency’s appropriations were not available for these prohibited purposes.”
This is not the first time this year that the EPA has not followed law. Don’t forget, in July, the EPA “was accused of colluding with left wing environmental groups to push its new carbon regulations.” A month later, “the EPA was responsible for a toxic spill at an abandoned mine that polluted rivers in three states.” And in October, “a federal appeals court said the EPA broke the law when it illegally approved a pesticide.”
Let’s hope that the Clean Water Rule does not come to fruition.