Central Wyoming News

U.S. Senator John Barrasso, a Republican from Wyoming and the ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, has issued a statement regarding the Inspector General's interim findings on potential conflicts of interest within the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO). Barrasso previously urged an investigation into favoritism in the LPO grant process.

"In its final days, the Biden Administration has been shoveling taxpayer money out the door with insufficient safeguards against fraud, waste, and abuse," Barrasso stated. "Secretary of Energy Granholm should immediately stop the entire loan process until the Department puts strict safeguards in place to protect American taxpayers."

The report centers on contractors, subcontractors, and third-party experts involved with the LPO. It highlights that the LPO does not monitor contractors who might be working for both the LPO and prospective borrowers. Additionally, there is no tracking of conflict of interest disclosures or waiver requests. The ongoing audit by the Inspector General found that organizational conflicts of interest are not being managed according to regulations.

The Inspector General's report includes four recommendations. Among them is a suggestion to suspend all loan and loan guarantee packages until compliance with conflict of interest regulations by contracting officers and their representatives can be ensured.