Sarah Elfreth Questions Interior Dept. Advisor on Climate Science and Funding

Climate Science and Interior's Role

• 🎯 Sarah Elfreth expresses frustration with the administration's approach to climate science, stating it consistently denies proven science on climate change, rising sea levels, and extreme weather.
• ❓ Elfreth questions whether there have been directives to limit Interior's role in climate research, restrict data collection, or alter scientific findings.
• 🤷 Mr. Shear, a senior advisor, states he is not prepared to answer questions regarding climate research directives, as he is there to testify on specific bills.

Endangered Species Act Definition

• ⚖️ Elfreth points to a proposed rulemaking to repeal the Fish and Wildlife Service's definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act, a definition in place since 1975 and upheld by the Supreme Court.
• ⚠️ The proposed change argues that the definition of harm is unnecessary, as the ESA defines "take" comprehensively.
• ❓ Elfreth seeks clarification on whether Interior's position is that the only way a species can be harmed is if it is killed.
• 🤝 Mr. Shear offers to follow up on the question regarding the definition of harm, noting it falls under the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Federal Grants and Climate Change

• 💰 Elfreth discusses the administration's restriction of federal funding to organizations that acknowledge climate change science.
• 🌊 Constituents in Elfreth's district have experienced catastrophic flooding due to climate change-induced extreme weather and sea level rise, relying on federal funding for prevention and recovery.
• 📊 Elfreth asks Mr. Shear if he can provide a number for how much funding Interior has withheld from grantees due to the mention of "climate" in grant paperwork.
• 🚫 Mr. Shear states he cannot provide an exact number but agrees to follow up with Elfreth's office.