EPA Expense Documents
| Tracking # |
EPA-HQ-2018-009133 PA-HQ-2018-009133 |
| Submitted | June 22, 2018 |
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Communications
From: Alexander Rony
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
I. Background Information
On June 20, the Intercept published an EPA security equipment expense report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4530293-PSD-Purchases-6-13-Redline-Redacted.html.
The second column of the report is labelled "Document" and has ID numbers that appear to be linked to other documents corresponding with that expense.
II. Description of Records Sought
I hereby Freedom of Information Act request for the following documents mentioned in the second column of the security equipment report:
1. Document "RQ 1750A7Q016" (Rec# 5) for "GSA-leased Vehicles"
2. Document "RQ 1750A7Q028" (Rec# 6) for "GSA-leased vehicles"
3. Document "RQ 1750B7A005" (Rec# 7) for "targets"
4. Document "RQ 1750B7A015" (Rec# 16) for "red/blue lights"
5. Document "RQ 1750B7A017" (Rec# 18) for "breaching kit"
6. Document "RQ 1850A8Q017" (Rec# 27) for "Lights"
7. Document "RQ 1850A8Q026" (Rec# 34) for "Plaque - Caldwell"
8. Document "RQ 1850B8P008" (Rec# 43) for "tactical pants for warrant"
9. Document "RQ 1850B8W239" (Rec# 45) for "tactical polo shirts"
10. Document "RQ 1850B8W243" (Rec# 46) for "tactical pants"
If these documents do not contain invoices, then please include accompanying invoices for these expenses as well. I prefer my request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
III. Request for a Fee Waiver
I respectfully request that you waive all fees in connection with this request as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). The Sierra Club is a national environmental nonprofit with no commercial interest in obtaining the requested information. Instead, our organization intends to analyze and disseminate the requested information free of charge so that the public can meaningfully participate in debates over the proper use of government resources.
The subject matter of the requested records is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations and activities of the government by disclosing how the EPA is spending its budget. Inappropriate and personal use of EPA staff, vehicles, and funding is a major storyline covered extensively by the media in the past year and a half.
The Sierra Club and its supporters have demonstrated interest and expertise in the subject area, as the organization is committed to the effective and efficient use of EPA resources in order to safeguard public health and the environment. Our staff and supporters regularly submit recommendations to the agency regarding its offices and their operations.
IV. Media Requester Status
In addition to the public interest fee waiver, I ask to be properly categorized as a representative of the news media. The bulk of my professional duties at the Sierra Club entails planning and writing content about public policy, including composing mass communications to our followers, analyzing FOIA responses, and coordinating press outreach.
I have previously written about the federal hiring freeze's impact on agencies:
https://sierraclub.org/planet/2017/05/trump-admin-policies-leave-700-cdc-jobs-vacant
https://sierraclub.org/planet/2017/04/hiring-freeze-prevented-epa-filling-hundreds-jobs
This work, supplemented by Freedom of Information Act requests, was covered in major media outlets:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2017/05/19/nearly-700-vacancies-at-cdc-because-of-trump-administration-hiring-freeze/
http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/13/politics/epa-hiring-freeze/index.html
Furthermore, the Sierra Club has been quoted in many recent news articles about its Freedom of Information Act requests on EPA operations.
The Sierra Club has the ability and intention to disseminate the information it receives through this request. The information may be shared through emails to an audience reaching into the millions, Facebook and Twitter posts reaching tens of thousands of followers, articles on our often-visited website, and analysis provided to the media.
In the event that there are fees, please inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Alexander Rony
Sierra Club
From: Environmental Protection Agency
This message is to confirm your request submission to the FOIAonline application: View Request. Request information is as follows: (https://foiaonline.regulations.gov:443/foia/action/public/view/request?objectId=090004d2819ae1c2)
* Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2018-009133
* Requester Name: Alexander Rony
* Date Submitted: 06/29/2018
* Request Status: Submitted
* Description: This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I. Background Information On June 20, the Intercept published an EPA security equipment expense report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4530293-PSD-Purchases-6-13-Redline-Redacted.html. The second column of the report is labelled "Document" and has ID numbers that appear to be linked to other documents corresponding with that expense. II. Description of Records Sought I hereby Freedom of Information Act request for the following documents mentioned in the second column of the security equipment report: 1. Document "RQ 1750A7Q016" (Rec# 5) for "GSA-leased Vehicles" 2. Document "RQ 1750A7Q028" (Rec# 6) for "GSA-leased vehicles" 3. Document "RQ 1750B7A005" (Rec# 7) for "targets" 4. Document "RQ 1750B7A015" (Rec# 16) for "red/blue lights" 5. Document "RQ 1750B7A017" (Rec# 18) for "breaching kit" 6. Document "RQ 1850A8Q017" (Rec# 27) for "Lights" 7. Document "RQ 1850A8Q026" (Rec# 34) for "Plaque - Caldwell" 8. Document "RQ 1850B8P008" (Rec# 43) for "tactical pants for warrant" 9. Document "RQ 1850B8W239" (Rec# 45) for "tactical polo shirts" 10. Document "RQ 1850B8W243" (Rec# 46) for "tactical pants" If these documents do not contain invoices, then please include accompanying invoices for these expenses as well. I prefer my request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. III. Request for a Fee Waiver I respectfully request that you waive all fees in connection with this request as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). The Sierra Club is a national environmental nonprofit with no commercial interest in obtaining the requested information.
From: Alexander Rony
Hello, I am withdrawing EPA-HQ-2018-009133 (EPA expense documents). Thank you.
Alexander Rony
From: Environmental Protection Agency
The FOIA request EPA-HQ-2018-009133 has had its Tracking Number changed to EPA-HQ-2018-009133. This is normally due to the request being transferred to another agency (for example, EPA to Dept. of Commerce) or to a sub-agency to process it. Additional details for this request are as follows:
* Old Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2018-009133
* New Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2018-009133
* Requester Name: Alexander Rony
* Date Submitted: 07/05/2018
* Long Description: This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I. Background Information On June 20, the Intercept published an EPA security equipment expense report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4530293-PSD-Purchases-6-13-Redline-Redacted.html. The second column of the report is labelled "Document" and has ID numbers that appear to be linked to other documents corresponding with that expense. II. Description of Records Sought I hereby Freedom of Information Act request for the following documents mentioned in the second column of the security equipment report: 1. Document "RQ 1750A7Q016" (Rec# 5) for "GSA-leased Vehicles" 2. Document "RQ 1750A7Q028" (Rec# 6) for "GSA-leased vehicles" 3. Document "RQ 1750B7A005" (Rec# 7) for "targets" 4. Document "RQ 1750B7A015" (Rec# 16) for "red/blue lights" 5. Document "RQ 1750B7A017" (Rec# 18) for "breaching kit" 6. Document "RQ 1850A8Q017" (Rec# 27) for "Lights" 7. Document "RQ 1850A8Q026" (Rec# 34) for "Plaque - Caldwell" 8. Document "RQ 1850B8P008" (Rec# 43) for "tactical pants for warrant" 9. Document "RQ 1850B8W239" (Rec# 45) for "tactical polo shirts" 10. Document "RQ 1850B8W243" (Rec# 46) for "tactical pants" If these documents do not contain invoices, then please include accompanying invoices for these expenses as well. I prefer my request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. III. Request for a Fee Waiver I respectfully request that you waive all fees in connection with this request as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). The Sierra Club is a national environmental nonprofit with no commercial interest in obtaining the requested information.
From: Environmental Protection Agency
See attached letter
From: Environmental Protection Agency
Your request for Fee Waiver for the FOIA request EPA-HQ-2018-009133 has been fully granted. Additional details for this request are as follows:
* Request Created on: 07/05/2018
* Request Description: This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I. Background Information On June 20, the Intercept published an EPA security equipment expense report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4530293-PSD-Purchases-6-13-Redline-Redacted.html. The second column of the report is labelled "Document" and has ID numbers that appear to be linked to other documents corresponding with that expense. II. Description of Records Sought I hereby Freedom of Information Act request for the following documents mentioned in the second column of the security equipment report: 1. Document "RQ 1750A7Q016" (Rec# 5) for "GSA-leased Vehicles" 2. Document "RQ 1750A7Q028" (Rec# 6) for "GSA-leased vehicles" 3. Document "RQ 1750B7A005" (Rec# 7) for "targets" 4. Document "RQ 1750B7A015" (Rec# 16) for "red/blue lights" 5. Document "RQ 1750B7A017" (Rec# 18) for "breaching kit" 6. Document "RQ 1850A8Q017" (Rec# 27) for "Lights" 7. Document "RQ 1850A8Q026" (Rec# 34) for "Plaque - Caldwell" 8. Document "RQ 1850B8P008" (Rec# 43) for "tactical pants for warrant" 9. Document "RQ 1850B8W239" (Rec# 45) for "tactical polo shirts" 10. Document "RQ 1850B8W243" (Rec# 46) for "tactical pants" If these documents do not contain invoices, then please include accompanying invoices for these expenses as well. I prefer my request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. III. Request for a Fee Waiver I respectfully request that you waive all fees in connection with this request as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). The Sierra Club is a national environmental nonprofit with no commercial interest in obtaining the requested information.
* Fee Waiver Original Justification: See attached request.
* Fee Waiver Disposition Reason: N/A
From: Environmental Protection Agency
The FOIA request EPA-HQ-2018-009133 has had its Tracking Number changed to EPA-HQ-2018-009133. This is normally due to the request being transferred to another agency (for example, EPA to Dept. of Commerce) or to a sub-agency to process it. Additional details for this request are as follows:
* Old Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2018-009133
* New Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2018-009133
* Requester Name: Alexander Rony
* Date Submitted: 07/05/2018
* Long Description: This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I. Background Information On June 20, the Intercept published an EPA security equipment expense report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4530293-PSD-Purchases-6-13-Redline-Redacted.html. The second column of the report is labelled "Document" and has ID numbers that appear to be linked to other documents corresponding with that expense. II. Description of Records Sought I hereby Freedom of Information Act request for the following documents mentioned in the second column of the security equipment report: 1. Document "RQ 1750A7Q016" (Rec# 5) for "GSA-leased Vehicles" 2. Document "RQ 1750A7Q028" (Rec# 6) for "GSA-leased vehicles" 3. Document "RQ 1750B7A005" (Rec# 7) for "targets" 4. Document "RQ 1750B7A015" (Rec# 16) for "red/blue lights" 5. Document "RQ 1750B7A017" (Rec# 18) for "breaching kit" 6. Document "RQ 1850A8Q017" (Rec# 27) for "Lights" 7. Document "RQ 1850A8Q026" (Rec# 34) for "Plaque - Caldwell" 8. Document "RQ 1850B8P008" (Rec# 43) for "tactical pants for warrant" 9. Document "RQ 1850B8W239" (Rec# 45) for "tactical polo shirts" 10. Document "RQ 1850B8W243" (Rec# 46) for "tactical pants" If these documents do not contain invoices, then please include accompanying invoices for these expenses as well. I prefer my request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. III. Request for a Fee Waiver I respectfully request that you waive all fees in connection with this request as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). The Sierra Club is a national environmental nonprofit with no commercial interest in obtaining the requested information.
From: Environmental Protection Agency
The FOIA request EPA-HQ-2018-009133 has had its Tracking Number changed to EPA-HQ-2018-009133. This is normally due to the request being transferred to another agency (for example, EPA to Dept. of Commerce) or to a sub-agency to process it. Additional details for this request are as follows:
* Old Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2018-009133
* New Tracking Number: EPA-HQ-2018-009133
* Requester Name: Alexander Rony
* Date Submitted: 07/05/2018
* Long Description: This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I. Background Information On June 20, the Intercept published an EPA security equipment expense report, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act, at https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4530293-PSD-Purchases-6-13-Redline-Redacted.html. The second column of the report is labelled "Document" and has ID numbers that appear to be linked to other documents corresponding with that expense. II. Description of Records Sought I hereby Freedom of Information Act request for the following documents mentioned in the second column of the security equipment report: 1. Document "RQ 1750A7Q016" (Rec# 5) for "GSA-leased Vehicles" 2. Document "RQ 1750A7Q028" (Rec# 6) for "GSA-leased vehicles" 3. Document "RQ 1750B7A005" (Rec# 7) for "targets" 4. Document "RQ 1750B7A015" (Rec# 16) for "red/blue lights" 5. Document "RQ 1750B7A017" (Rec# 18) for "breaching kit" 6. Document "RQ 1850A8Q017" (Rec# 27) for "Lights" 7. Document "RQ 1850A8Q026" (Rec# 34) for "Plaque - Caldwell" 8. Document "RQ 1850B8P008" (Rec# 43) for "tactical pants for warrant" 9. Document "RQ 1850B8W239" (Rec# 45) for "tactical polo shirts" 10. Document "RQ 1850B8W243" (Rec# 46) for "tactical pants" If these documents do not contain invoices, then please include accompanying invoices for these expenses as well. I prefer my request be filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not. III. Request for a Fee Waiver I respectfully request that you waive all fees in connection with this request as provided by 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(A)(iii). The Sierra Club is a national environmental nonprofit with no commercial interest in obtaining the requested information.
From: Alexander Rony
To whom it may concern,
I am following up on my FOIA request (EPA-HQ-2018-009133). When can I expect records related to this request?
Thank you,
Alexander Rony
From: Muckrock Staff
To Whom It May Concern:
I wanted to follow up on the following Freedom of Information Act request, copied below, and originally submitted on June 29, 2018. Please let me know when I can expect to receive a response. You had assigned it reference number #EPA-HQ-2018-009133.
Thanks for your help, and let me know if further clarification is needed.
From: Environmental Protection Agency
Dear Alexander ,
Thank you for checking the status of your FOIA Request with EPA.
Your request was closed back on November 8, 2018, as a duplicate request.
Thank you for your interest in EPA.
All the best,
Ryan Dominguez
| National FOIA Office
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~WRD1275
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