CREW requests Energy records on Secretary Perry NMA meeting

CREW requests:

1. Copies of Secretary Rick Perry’s address at the National Mining Association meeting at the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C. on October 4, 2017
2. Copies of all documents received by Secretary Perry and/or his staff during the October 4, 2017 meeting at the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C.
3. Copies of all documents describing the attendees at the October 4, 2017 meeting at the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C., the agenda of the meeting, and/or any planned follow up actions by DOE
4. Copies of all photos and/or video from the October 4, 2017 National Mining Association meeting at the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C.
5. Copies of all records documenting payments made by DOE to the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C., in relation to Secretary Rick Perry’s October 4, 2017 address to the National Mining Association at the Trump hotel as well as all records seeking reimbursement for expenses incurred at the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C.
6. Copies of all communications to or from Secretary Perry that mention or relate to his October 4, 2017 appearance at the National Mining Association meeting held at the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C.

On the morning of October 4, 2017, Secretary Perry addressed a meeting of board of directors of the National Mining Association held at the Trump International Hotel – Washington, D.C., which is still majority owned by President Trump through a revocable trust. The National Mining Association is a trade association representing the coal and mineral industries. In 2017 so far, the National Mining Association has reported spending more than $950,000 on federal lobbying, which includes a focus on DOE.

The requested records would shed light on what Secretary Perry discussed with the mining executives at the National Mining Association and increase public knowledge about how DOE communicates with industry stakeholders in private about public policy. The requested records would also shed light on whether DOE funds were used to pay for any part of Secretary Perry’s visit to the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC and whether any taxpayer funds ended up in the coffers of the president’s private business.