Heather Richards

Washington, D.C.

Reporter, Interior Department and the National Park Service at E&E News

Covering the people and politics of the Interior Department and the National Park Service, former energy reporter. Signal: @h_richards.99

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Articles

GAO rejects DOGE attempt to land at congressional watchdog agency

3 weeks ago | politico.com | Heather Richards

The Government Accountability Office told the DOGE acting administrator that it is part of the legislative branch. Elon Musk, the tech entrepreneur who spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency, at a March Cabinet meeting held by President Donald Trump at the White House.
GAO rejects DOGE attempt to land at congressional watchdog agency

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Heather Richards

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency tried to place a downsizing team at the Government Accountability Office, but the congressional watchdog rebuffed the intrusion, according to an internal bulletin viewed by POLITICO’s E&E News. DOGE recently contacted the congressional watchdog with plans to “assign a team” to the office, according to the bulletin sent to all GAO staff on Friday.
‘Nobody to pump the toilets?’ Trump purge could cripple parks.

Feb 18, 2025 | yahoo.com | Heather Richards

With the Trump administration culling potentially thousands of park rangers from the federal ranks, some within the National Park Service are bracing for a tough summer as crowds descend on understaffed park facilities.
‘Absolute nightmare’: Feds fret as Trump’s resignation plan stalls

Feb 11, 2025 | yahoo.com | Kevin Bogardus |Heather Richards |Scott Streater |Hannah Northey

Federal employees remain stuck in a strange stasis as the legality of President Donald Trump’s mass resignation scheme remains in question. On Monday, U.S. District Judge George O’Toole weighed legal arguments for and against the “deferred resignation” deal but didn’t rule yet on whether the president’s offer is valid. In the interim, a midnight deadline came and went, leaving government workers wondering yet again what the future holds for them under the Trump administration.
Trump’s hiring freeze creates ‘scary time’ at National Park Service

Feb 3, 2025 | msn.com | Heather Richards

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Exiting Interior leaders defend their record on eve of Trump’s return - E&E News by POLITICO

Jan 21, 2025 | eenews.net | Heather Richards

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and her deputy, Laura Daniel-Davis, are touting their efforts to jump-start offshore wind and bring BLM headquarters back to
Trump gets second chance to drill ANWR. Will oil companies bite?

Dec 4, 2024 | ourcommunitynow.com | Heather Richards

President-elect Donald Trump will get another try to unleash drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge during his second term, but oil production won’t come easy. The success of a potential drilling campaign may depend on whether North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) — Trump’s pick for Interior secretary — prioritizes Alaska oil and gas issues and whether his staff members are skilled at unraveling Biden administration rules crafted to hamper drilling in the Arctic.
Biden, DeSantis sound alarm as Milton barrels toward Florida

Oct 9, 2024 | savingseafood.org | Daniel Cusick |Michael Doyle |Heather Richards

October 9, 2024 — Floridians evacuating what could be the most powerful hurricane to strike the Tampa Bay region in a century crawled Tuesday along Florida’s major highways, seeking higher ground before Milton’s expected Wednesday night landfall.
Interior inks cleanup deal for orphaned offshore pipelines

Oct 4, 2024 | savingseafood.org | Heather Richards

October 4, 2024 — The Interior Department is launching the cleanup of eight orphaned oil and gas pipelines about 12 miles off Texas’ Matagorda Island.
Offshore oil braces as Francine approaches Gulf Coast

Sep 11, 2024 | savingseafood.org | Heather Richards

September 11, 2024 — Roughly a quarter of the nation’s offshore oil production in the Gulf of Mexico is shut down Tuesday as Tropical Storm Francine approaches the Gulf Coast, according to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Francine, which is barreling northeast in the western Gulf of Mexico, is predicted to become a hurricane by landfall in Louisiana on Wednesday, with heavy rain and storm surges, according to NOAA.